Digital West Midlands News - December 2019

Update from December 2019

Welcome to the end of December 2019 issue of Digital WM News and our final issue for this year.  

We hope you have enjoyed our e-bulletin this year and we wish you and your organisation/community group a happy and prosperous 2020

In this issue we include:

• News including Brum Data Workshops, Code Your Future coding school launching in Brum, 3rd cohort School of Code bootcampers confirmed, Charity Excellence Framework update, CRM Advice request, Food Poverty Mapping Project by Data Orchard
• Events including You Got This 2020 conference and Data Essentials
• People: Edafe Onerhime, Head of Data for Effective Development @DFID_UK
• Resources including Next generation of charity leaders, How to design services that work, tools for funders, Charity Bank UK Social Sector Health check report, Data Champion podcast, Charities digital resources list, 2020 social networks predictions, Sample impact report, Guide to using 2019 IMD, Enhancing digital literacy with Wikipedia
• Vacancies 15 vacancies 

...and so much more!

We continue to increase digital skills and knowledge in the VCSE sectors, as part of Project 2020, by curating the most useful items we see on the web during the month.

We'd love to hear your stories of increasing digital skills and knowledge too. Please email them to Pauline at RnR.Organisation@gmail.com, marking them for my attention.

Readership
 

We aimed to double our readership by the end of 2019 - we achieved 50% of this.

You can help us increase our reach and increase digital skills in the West Midlands by encouraging your colleagues and friends to subscribe to Digital WM News in 2020.

They can SIGN UP HERE to ensure they receive the latest issue as soon as it is published.

SubscribersFor our new subscribers in December, we welcome you!

Please note that this issue and all previous issues can be found on our website here

Regards

Pauline Roche,
Editor, Digital WM News

Read the December 2019 edition


 

Happy New Year - January Events at Gladstone Pottery Museum

Local History Films - Saturday 18th January

Join us for a showing of local film clips, including pottery production and mining, introduced by local historian and museum volunteer Phil Rowley. 11.30am, free (normal admission applies to the rest of the museum.) Please book your place by calling 01782 237777

Bound by Clay Film Showing - Saturday 25th January Watch North Staffs Women's Network's 'Bound by Clay', a film about women who currently work or have worked in the pottery industry. They describe their day-to-day experiences, the camaraderie and the skilful processes they developed. It uniquely documents aspects of Stoke-on-Trent's infamous industrial and cultural heritage from a female perspective.   11.30 am, free (normal admission applies to the rest of the museum), please call 01782 237777 to book a place.

Gladstone Pottery Museum

Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse Against Women aged 55+

Upcoming event - Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse Against Women aged 55+

Date:  Tuesday 28^th January 2020

Time:  09:30 to 12:30

Location:  St Giles Hospice, Lindridge Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 6JB

Domestic abuse of older women is particularly under reported and recorded, and so we have invited Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid to run a session to raise awareness of the issues faced by women aged 55+ who are experiencing abuse, how to ask questions and how and where to refer those who want support.


The event is free to attend and is open to community groups and organisations in Sutton Coldfield. 


If you wish to attend, please register via Eventbrite, using the following link:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/raising-awareness-of-domestic-abuse-against-women-aged-55-tickets-86799765435

  

Potters 'Arf Marathon 2020 launch event

 

 

Date: 18th January 2020

Location: Victoria Hall  Bagnall Street, Cultural Quarter, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3AD 

Time: 09:00 - 12:30

Cost: Free event. Get £5 off Potters 'Arf entry fees

 

Hanley Economic Building Society Potters 'Arf Marathon launch event where runners, walkers and relay teams can sign up to get £5 off entry to the June 14 race.

Looking for a challenge? Fancy taking part in the Hanley Economic Building Society Potters 'Arf Marathon in 2020?

The launch event takes place on January 18, where runners, walkers and relay teams can sign up to get £5 off entry to the June 14 race.

Full price entries open straight after the launch event, from 1pm, and info will then be available on the website.

Potters 'Arf website

The Potters ’Arf is an amazing and unique challenge.

With a city centre finish and fantastic supporters creating a wonderful Potteries atmosphere (you wait, it's incredible!), there’s no other race quite like it in the country.

Full price costs after the launch event closes will be:

• affiliated runner (minimum age 17 years) £26
• unaffiliated runner (minimum age 17 years) £28
• walker (minimum age 17 years) £23
• relay team of 4 (minimum age 17 years) £38.80
• junior (minimum age six years old, maximum age 15 years old – under nines must be accompanied by an adult of 16 years plus)

The 'Arf encourages all abilities to have a go - that's why organisers include walking and relay team sections for those who don't want to run the full 13.1 miles.

There's also a 1,000-metre junior race for youngsters who want to take on their own route. Look forward to seeing you at the launch!
 

Erasmus+ funded Research Project into Carers for Older People

Eldicare Project Research Presentation 

by Dr Edward Tolhurst (Staffordshire University, UK) 

Wednesday 20th November 2019  at Communitea Café, Age Concern Birmingham 

Project Number:  60115-EPP-1-2018-1-EL-EPPKA2-SSA 

On Wednesday 20th November 2019 an event was held at the communitea café at Age Concern Birmingham in celebration of Carers Rights Day UK. The event was a great success as Age Concern Birmingham launched a new space in their Boldmere Road based café aimed at local carers. The agenda was split into two inter-related parts of the day, in the morning the event was attended by funders, partners and members of the public and after lunch we took the opportunity to highlight the progress of Eldicare Project which is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. This was a great opportunity to combine our local carer’s event with news about this exciting and very relevant piece of research. 

During the presentation which took place in our new Carer’s Corner in the communitea café, Dr Edward Tolhurst gave us a great insight into the Eldicare project on behalf of our UK based research partner, Staffordshire University. His audience included people who provide services to carers such as day services, home and domestic care, people who advise carers and also people who are or have been informal and paid carers themselves. Dr Tolhurst’s talk was therefore very relevant and interesting to the participants who asked him many follow-up questions around the research findings.  

Dr Tolhurst talked about the main findings of the research so far which includes the feedback from carers and care agencies who were asked for their views and experiences about carer training. Dr Tolhurst told the meeting “these findings were discussed at a recent meeting of Eldicare partners which took place at Staffordshire University’s Lichfield campus. The research is being analysed to inform the partners in our aim to design and set up a common curriculum for training carers in the elderly care sector”. 


The Eldicare project has been developed in response to the ageing population right across Europe and the commitment to providing the carers of the future with the best skills and knowledge for their caring roles.

 

Jobs at Age Concern Birmingham

Registered Care Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Registered Care Manager within our Jubilee Citizens UK service.

Full time 37.5 hours a week

£27,000 rising to £28,000 after 12 months per year.

The role will be to continue to develop and manage a person centred city-wide Care and Domestic Support service providing high quality care to people across Birmingham within the community including sheltered housing schemes. To ensure vulnerable people receive the a high level of care and support subject to their needs and preferences and in line with CQC regulatory requirements.

To liaise with commissioners, organisations and individuals to develop and promote the Service, working to achieve ongoing growth in clients and service hours.

To manage the existing services and to develop and expand the service by liaising with statutory and community organisations throughout Birmingham and surrounding areas.

To manage staff in line with organisational policies and procedures on an ongoing basis.

To manage the recruitment of new staff.

To undertake assessments of need and risk within the homes of all clients, and arrange client contracts and subsequent services based upon an agreed client service plan.

To manage, coordinate and cover on a rota basis, a 24 hour on call system for staff and clients.

Do you have:

Sound care and management experience

Good understanding of the care needs for older adults

Excellent organisational skills

Excellent communication and IT skills

Wanting to progress and develop within your career

Commitment to staff and team development

Confidence and ability to lead a team

Full job description below.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter via email to k.barber@ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk 

Telephone interviews will be carried out with a face to face interview at the 2nd stage. At 2nd stage candidates will be required to completed a full application form before the interview.

Any enquiries about this role can be discussed by telephoning Karen on 07930 916665

To apply for this job email your details to k.barber@ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk 

Seven-year-old James designs the Mayor of Worcester's Christmas card

 

James Allison from Hollymount School in Worcester has beaten off competition from across the city to design the Mayor’s Christmas card.

 

The seven-year-old’s colourful drawing – showing Santa Claus flying over the Guildhall with his reindeer – was chosen as the winner in this year’s primary school competition to design the Mayor’s festive greetings card.

 

The Hollymount School pupil’s winning entry has been printed on around 500 cards which have been sent to schools, charities, organisations, clubs and businesses across Worcester.

 

The Mayor, Councillor Allah Ditta, said: “James’s design captured many of the Guildhall’s most striking features extremely well. 

 

“We will have to see if enough councillors have behaved themselves for Santa Claus to make a special visit there this Christmas!”

 

James’s success is also good news for his school, which wins a £50 gift voucher for art materials.

Dan Whitehouse - new album out in May 2020

Dreamland Tomorrow coming 1/5/20

A new double album is set for release May 1st 2020. 'Dreamland' (the first disc) is a dark, brooding and intense recording, made with a more experimental approach and sound palette than anything Dan has previously released.

Produced by Tom Rose and recorded and mixed by John Elliott (The Little Unsaid) the album features Eric Lane (Joan As Police Woman), minimalist composer Richard J. Birkin, BBC Jazz Award winning Saxophonist  Xohsa Cole and songs co-written with John Elliott of The Little Unsaid amongst others. Dreamland also features new versions of two ‘lost’ classics by Gavin Clark’s Sunhouse and The Trashcan Sinatras.

In stark contrast, the second disc 'Tomorrow' captures Dan largely solo, raw and in the moment. Produced by Boo Hewerdine, mostly voice and guitar, Tomorrow was recorded with Jon Kelly (Kate Bush, Prefab Sprout) in London. A series of videos and singles will be released ahead of the album through Spring of 2020. Standby for the story to unfold.

"Sensational!" - Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music“delicate voice and subtle melodies”- THE TIMES

“A Triple threat, a fine songwriter, a unique vocal talent and a talented multi-instrumentalist/performer”

 

MAVERICK

 

Booking

Gail Cookehttps://www.laughingdogmusic.co.uk

gail@laughingdogmusic.co.uk
07905 952374

 

Johnny Autin - Artist in residence at DanceXchange

We are thrilled to share that Johnny Autin has been announced as one of DanceXchange’s Artist in Residence 2020.

Johnny Autin (Autin Dance Theatre) /  An established Dance Artist & Choreographer based in Birmingham (UK), working internationally as a performer and choreographer. I am the Creative Director of award-winning Autin Dance Theatre (est. 2013) a collaborative and project-based organisation producing engaging artistic performances that provide an extensive learning and participation programme. My choreographic process is always influenced by socio-political statements and engaged towards positive, empowering and inspiring messages to our audiences. 

Johnny says
“Throughout this artistic residency at DX, I am interested in creating an ambitious outdoor piece with a large puppet operated by 5 puppeteers and one dancer. The idea is to choreograph a larger-than-life ‘pas de deux’ and to choreograph this duet as if they were both real-life contemporary dancers. I am keen to push the boundaries of puppetry motions and large scale movements in devising a captivating work in collaboration with our team of artistic collaborators. I am also particularly inspired by the potential of outdoor arts and festival settings, and the scale it opens up for choreography.”

Our working title for this new outdoor production is Out of the Deep Blue (Rise and Tale of the Sea Giant)
and will premiere in Birmingham in June 2020.

A Posi+ive Life - Dance Theatre

An Immersive sex ed’ and coming of age dance theatre experience for teenagers and young adults.

“It’s great to see A Posi+ive Life create such a safe, supportive space for young people to talk and share their thoughts as part of a live performance.”

-Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England

Autin Dance Theatre presents A Posi+ive Life with the support of Arts Council England, Birmingham

Education Partnership, Arts Connect, and Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham.

 

 

A Posi+ive Life is an accessible, immersive and interactive theatre experience led by six contemporary characters featuring dance, physical theatre, spoken word and BSL interpretation.

The piece is a special invitation to a house party like no other, where a web of stories around sex, love and relationships unveils, with audience participation and original scenography transporting the guests to the heart of the story.

The play runs for 75minutes and is aimed at young people (14+) with an uplifting and engaging message on self-love, sexual health topics and sex ed’ stories that can be enjoyed by all.

“Arts Connect selected Johnny Autin to be part of a development programme for artists wanting to realise their ambitions for their work with young people.

The tour of a A Posi+ive Life and Arts Council England investment is one outcome, and the result of Johnny’s hard work and vision. We are delighted to see his success and excited for all the young people that will benefit from his company’s work.”

-Rob Elkington –Director, Arts Connect

We believe effective sex and relationship education is essential if young people are to make responsible and well-informed decisions about their lives. A Posi+ive Life is an accessible, inclusive and authentic performance that creates safe spaces for young audiences to explore and navigate their way through these often difficult, personal issues and stories.

“A Posi+ive Life meets Birmingham Education Partnership’s aims of supporting schools through Arts and Culture to improve the education and well-being of our young people. It also contributes to our work with schools in supporting them in tackling more challenging themes. I feel this approach could also send a positive message to other Artists and Organisations and inspire them to look at new and innovative ways to work and collaborate with schools.”

Andrew Fox -Arts Engagement Co-ordinator, Birmingham Education Partnership
Autin DT is an award-winning professional Dance Theatre Company based in Birmingham, established in 2013 and directed by Johnny Autin and Producers Paige Jackson and Kirsten Tranter. The Company is a collaborative and project-based organisation that produces engaging artistic performances and provides an extensive learning and participation programme.

“The company draws on contemporary social issues and events making work which is beautifully crafted, accessible and relevant”.

“Authentic, spontaneous, inclusive”

Audience

Watch Promo Video Here: http://bit.ly/APLtrailer

Find Out More 

Blues Club with Midnight City on Saturday 21st December 2019

The Blues Club at Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath 
 
Weekly live sessions from Birmingham's foremost Jazz & Blues musicians with DJ's Dylan Gibbons & Dave Le Moderne playing an eclectic mix of Reggae, Soul and Rhythm & Blues in between. Free admission. 4pm to 8pm.

This Weeks' Special Guests

Midnight City

Free Entry 4 - 8 pm

Music Genres: 

Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll

 

Entry Prices

 

Entry price (public): FREE ENTRY-Under 16's Must Accompanied by an Adult (Additional fees may apply)

 

Circus of Horrors - 25th Anniversary Tour

Special Offer

The new Circus of Horrors show will be an immersive celebration of it's astounding 25 years. It will include an amazing amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock 'n' roll soundscape, a show that will have you sat on the edge of your seat when not falling off it with laughter.
 
The almighty cast that stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent is now a West End & worldwide hit will take you on a rock n' roller coaster ride of unbelievable, bizarre & beautiful acts. It is a circus like no other and a show you simply can't afford to miss. 

Whether a Rock fan or theatre goer The Circus of Horrors has something for everyone.

2020 dates in the West Midlands

10 Jan   Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent10 Feb   Swan Theatre, Worcester
20 Feb   KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
19 Mar   The Place, Telford

Book now and get 2-for-1 tickets! 

New Worcester pub

the Mayor cutting the ribbon to open the pub with some of the Marilyn’s staff.
Left to right: Mellissa Love; manager Nicola Stephenson; the Mayor; Pete Francis; Tara Fox.

 

Mayor opens new Worcester pub

 

The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Allah Ditta, has opened a new city pub that boasts a touch of glamour.

 

Marilyn’s is a new family-oriented pub in Tolladine Road and takes its name from the many pictures of Hollywood legend that decorate its walls.

 

The new bar has been opened in the building that used to be the Farmer’s Boy pub.

 

The Mayor said: “It’s great to see this building back in use again as a social hub for the whole community. I always like to encourage people to make the most of community facilities – use it or lose it!”

Christmas at Black Country Living Museum

Christmas Through Time

23 November - 05 January 2020

Starting with Victoria's reign through to a 1930s Christmas, bring the whole family for a day out with a difference!

Step back in time to discover our brand new immersive experience and take in the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas through time.   

Enjoy a classic film in our 1920s Limelight Cinema - watch a Christmas with Mickey Mouse and have a giggle with Laurel & Hardy. To end your day, relax by the fireside in our Bottle & Glass Inn with a nice warm brew or make a toast to the festive season with a mulled wine. 

See plum-puddings being made the traditional way, and help the children pen a Christmas card as you take in the wonderful aroma of fresh wreaths and fragrant pomanders. 

What's more... Visit any day from 23 Nov 2019 - 5 Jan 2020 and get an UnChained Annual Pass for the same price as a regular ticket.


More information on the BCLM website 

Lichfield Cathedral Illuminated

The Cathedral Illuminated 2019: The Beginning

16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 December | 15-minute time slots 17:30 - 21:30 (last entry)Tickets are sold in 15-minute time slots with entry to the Cathedral Close at the allotted ticket time.

The award-winning spectacular light and sound show for Christmas is back.  'The Best Event in Staffordshire' for 3 years running.

The artistic collaboration, Luxmuralis, return to transform the Cathedral inside and outside using stunning sound and light projections. 

‘The Beginning’ will complete the journey of Space, Light and Time following this year’s theme and is a stunning and spectacular experience for all the family to enjoy. The perfect beginning to Christmas.  

This year featuring ‘In the Image and Likeness: A Constellation of Images’ artwork by Peter Walker working with thousands of school children in the area. 

Click here to purchase tickets...

Advance tickets are £6 adults, or £4 for children (age 4-16) and £16 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).

Refugee Centre - community event

 

A great invitation from the Refugee and Migrant Centre in Wolverhampton to attend their community event on Saturday 21st December 2019 at All Saints Church, Wolverhampton between 12 and 2pm.

Please go along and support RMC to learn about Christmas customs and traditions around the world, taste the food and enjoy the music!

You are welcome to bring your own food as well as enjoying what's provided.
 

Make My City Fair Initiative

As part of the recent Make My City Fair initiative, we are conducting a research project on the best ways to communicate the impacts of austerity in Birmingham and are looking for help from those working in the community. We are inviting representatives and those with lived experience from many different kinds of services from across Birmingham (i.e. voluntary sector, Healthcare and related services, Education, the Police and Crime, businesses and SMEs and the Creative Sector, the Trades Unions) to discuss the ways in which austerity has impacted them and their services. 

Specifically, we are looking for people to be part of a small recorded focus group, in which we discuss the way austerity has impacted services and the best ways to communicate this. We intend on hiring a live illustrator for this session to record visually the case studies we cover, with the hope that some of these materials could be used to communicate the impacts of austerity clearly.

We hope to conduct this small focus group on Wednesday 8th January, in the Curzon Building of Birmingham City University (east side of the City Centre) from 6-8pm. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in taking part and available, please RSVP to this email (angela.hewett@bcu.ac.uk) as soon as possible.

Birmingham City UniversityCurzon 332

4 Cardigan Street
Birmingham
B4 7BD
 

Tram developments in Brum

Birmingham city centre Metro extension now open

From today West Midlands Metro trams are picking up and dropping off passengers from two new stops at Town Hall and Library. A six-minute peak time service will deliver people to the Town Hall, ICC, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Rep, Library of Birmingham and other destinations in the area including, until 12 January, the ice rink and big wheel. 

DON’T WORRY ‘BOUT THE BEAR

 



‘This has to be one of the best autobiographical reads out there right now.’ – Simon Spillett, Jazz Rag

Jim Simpson of Big Bear Records has been involved in the music business for nearly 60 years, as musician, bandleader, promoter, record producer, festival director, manager, journalist and photographer. In his new book Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear, written with Ron Simpson, he spills the beans on some of the many memorable experiences he’s had in that time.

In his candid, constantly surprising, frequently amusing and occasionally shocking account you will encounter the joys and difficulties of managing Black Sabbath or of running a jazz festival in sun-kissed, crime-ridden Marbella. At home in Birmingham meet some of the characters who have enlivened 35 years of the Jazz Festival and read Jim’s take on the scandals that closed the city’s premier jazz club. Revisit the exciting Brum Beat scene, take to the road with some 40 of the best (in some cases, most eccentric) American bluesmen of the 1970s, encounter the Blues Brothers Band in surprising places and enjoy Jim’s tributes  to some of the great names in British jazz, such as Humphrey Lyttelton and Kenny Baker, with whom he worked closely.

Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear  sees Jim rubbing shoulders with the following:

• Ozzy Osbourne, and his Black Sabbath bandmates, in three chapters detailing Jim’s management of their early career
• Led Zeppelin drummer and Jim’s former bandmate John Bonham
• Beatles guitarist George Harrison
• Chuck Berry, and the story behind his number one hit My Ding-A-Ling
• An encounter with David Bowie in Highgate Cemetary
• Photographing Little Richard
• A trip to the casino with Virgin Records supremo Richard Branson
• Nina Simone, at her irascible best
• Pioneering DJ and trendsetter John Peel, and how his nickname for Jim ended up sticking
• The twin giants of modern jazz trumpet, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie
• Revered and feared music mogul Don Arden
• Fever singer Peggy Lee
• I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue presenter and esteemed jazz trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton
• Traffic and Spencer Davis Group singer Steve Winwood
• The godfather of modern Chicago blues, Muddy Waters
• Bumping into The Blues Brothers band in rural Spain
• A difference of opinion with fifties heartthrob Marty Wilde
• The story of how The Moody Blues got their name

Along with many other names which will be more than familiar to aficionados of American blues and mainstream jazz, including Tommy Tucker, Mickey Baker, Willie Mabon, Kenny Baker, Clark Terry, Lightnin’ Slim, George Melly, Val Wiseman, Bruce Adams, Annie Ross, Digby Fairweather, and more

Not to mention the story of how he didn’t quite end up propping up the bar and setting the world to rights with Marvin Gaye at a seaside resort in Belgium…

Praise for Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear:

‘This is the best book on British music I’ve read for a very long time.’ – Andrew Liddle, Yorkshire Times

‘…must surely be on every jazzer’s Christmas list – if you can wait that long, that is. My suggestion is that you put it on your tomorrow list.’ – Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here

‘As a musician, bandleader, promoter, record producer, festival director, manager, journalist and photographer, Don’t Worry ‘bout the Bear is a fitting record of a Birmingham legend.’ – John Lamb, Chamberlink

‘A great read for blues, jazz and rock fans.’  Tony Burke, Morning Star

‘This book gives an interesting and varied look upon (Jim’s) life and music from the 1950s up until today. The book….is filled with great photos which Jim has taken most of himself.’ – Hans Schweitz, Jefferson (Swedish music magazine)

‘…a tale of fortunes found and lost, impossible optimism and moments of musical magic…’ – Stuart Constable, Living Blues

Advertised price of £19.95 includes cover price of £17.95 plus £2 postage to UK addresses.

https://www.bigbearmusic.com/product/dont-worry-bout-the-bear/

 

Older and Wiser? New report

Older and Wiser? New report considers growth and opportunities for the creative ageing sector

 

King’s College London would like to thank you for your contribution to the report ‘Older and Wiser? Creative Ageing in the UK 2010-19’.

We are delighted that the report (written by Dr Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt, Research Fellow at King’s College London and commissioned by The Baring Foundation) has now been launched. Youcan view a digital version of the report online.

Between 2010 and 2019, The Baring Foundation dedicated its arts funding to participatory activities involving older people. The report provides an overview of the ways in which the field has developed during this period. ‘Older and wiser?’ is intended as a useful document for the creative ageing sector, its leadership and its funders, with the hope that it will be instrumental in inspiring and enabling older people to get creative.

We would be very grateful if you could help King’s and The Baring Foundation to raise awareness of the report through your digital and social channels.

Older and Wiser? Creative Ageing in the UK 2010-19

Overview

A new report Older and wiser? Creative Ageing in the UK 2010-19 reviews the development of the creative ageing sector over the past decade, examining how far has it come and considering where it should go next. The report was written by King’s College London and was commissioned by The Baring Foundation.

Between 2010 and 2019, The Baring Foundation dedicated its arts funding to participatory activities involving older people. The report provides an overview of the ways in which the field has developed during this period. ‘Older and wiser?’ is intended as a useful document for the creative ageing sector, its leadership and its funders, with the hope that it is instrumental in inspiring and enabling older people to get creative.

This report demonstrates King’s College London’s integrated arts, health and wellbeing strategy in action. Older and Wiser? also follows on from the Creative Health report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Arts, Health & Wellbeing, for which King’s was research partner.

Key findings from Older and wiser? Creative Ageing in the UK 2010-19

1.      The creative ageing sector is flourishing, with many high-quality programmes springing up around the country over the past decade. Training for artists and care workers has received a boost; there are now excellent resources available to inspire and guide, and spaces to meet and share ideas. The idea of ageing creatively become more widely accepted among arts organisations, funders and the general public.

2.      There is more to be done to ‘normalise the role of the arts in the lives of older people’. This will require a concerted effort on the part of funders, politicians, policymakers and national arts bodies to sustain and develop the excellent work currently underway.

3.      There is a strong need for the sector to reach out to older people who are not already engaged with the arts and to extend its reach further in terms of gender, class, ethnicity and sexuality.