Arts and culture on pointe
A new service to connect older people interested in arts and culture will be launched next week.
Cork Cultural Companions will give older people more chances to join in the vibrant local arts and cultural scene at events when restrictions are lifted and virtually for now.
Anyone over 55 can sign up to be part of a local network of people with shared interests in arts, heritage and culture who want to attend events with like-minded new friends.
An initiative of Age and Opportunity, Cork Cultural Companions particularly aims to address the issue of social isolation amongst older people by also providing volunteer companions for encouragement and support at live events.
Original plans to launch in April 2020 had to be postponed and revised in light of Covid-19 restrictions. Cork Cultural Companions will now launch virtually on 9 March with the rollout of a varied series of its own online events and activities run in conjunction with cultural venues and organisations, until live events return.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Cork Cultural Companions co-ordinator Barbara Quinn, said: “Many of us would probably go to a lot more plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions, or other events if we had someone to go with. There is a thriving social and arts scene out there to be enjoyed if only we had someone with the know-how or simply the shared interest to get us going. That is where Cultural Companions comes in.
“The project will set up local networks of people interested in arts and culture that will accompany each other to events when they are permitted and encourage each other to connect with and engage in online cultural events and activities for now.”
Membership is free and members will receive regular updates regarding various websites, podcasts and social media links to theatre performances, music, literature, poetry, dance, and local interest items.
When live events begin to happen again, they will have the opportunity to attend them with new friends in the network.
For more information, contact Barbara on 085-1300335 or culture@muintircork.com, or see the Cork Cultural Connections page on muintircork.com.