Arts Council England
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New research finds arts and culture helps combat loneliness among old people
As a tonic to Blue Monday - dubbed the most depressing day of the year - ACE revealed new research findings showing the positive impact arts and culture can have on older people.
The research, conducted by ComRes, shows the different ways older people (aged 65+) value arts and culture. Take a look at the headline findings:
- 76% of older people say arts and culture is important in making them feel happy
- 57% say arts and culture is important in helping them meet other people
- 60% say it is important in encouraging them to get out and about
With the UK’s older population continuing to grow significantly, the survey also highlights how arts and cultural activities could potentially help to tackle key social issues such as loneliness and isolation, which can increase during the winter months with longer nights and colder weather making it harder for older people to get out and about.
The results also show that over half of older people (52%) say they attend or participate less in arts and cultural activity now than in their teenage years, with respondents citing better access to venues and having someone to go with as key ways in which to encourage attendance from this age group.
New investment coming
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England says: “We know that the arts can help to significantly improve health and wellbeing.
“We want to encourage older people to experience some of the great cultural activities that we have to offer in this country; from high profile performances, to informal, free events in other settings.
“With research showing that engagement in the arts tails off as people get older, we need to get cleverer about how we engage older people and tackle the barriers to taking part. Later in the year, we will be making new funds available for arts organisations to build on some of the great work they are already doing to enhance engagement with the older population.”
Tell someone you know
Watch our new film, showing first-hand the benefits various arts and culture activities have on older people. Do you know someone that might benefit from this kind of project? Take a look at your local listings to find a group that might work for them.
Don't forget to join the conversation at #culturematters, too.
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