AN INNOVATIVE lotttery-funded charity which aims to use art and creativity to stimulate older people living in isolated rural areas in Mid Devon has been launched.
The Upstream Healthy Living Centre seeks to rekindle a passion for living among the older, rural, isolated people of Mid Devon. The charity?s mission is to engage older people in stimulating, creative leisure, learning and social activities and to promote their health and well-being, and that of their communities.
Upstream have completed a pilot project and are preparing to roll out the programme in selected towns and villages throughout the area, including Okehampton.
Claire Whewell, Upstream administrator said: ?We are looking for those who can help us to deliver our vision. We want mentors with creative instincts and brilliant communication skills, who take particular pleasure in working alongside older people and have a proven interest in the activities of their local communities.
?Our mentors will need to relish a challenge that is both sensitive and robust.?
She added: ?We are also looking for people with particular creative skills, people with a proven ability to inspire and stimulate in others a sense of enthusiastic involvement, personal achievement and a strong desire to keep on learning and being creative.?
Upstream are interested in taking a fresh look at the way in which communities involve older and more isolated people and at cultural attitudes to lifelong creativity and well-being.
The programme will be on an outreach basis, taking activities to where they can most readily be accessed, sometimes in local community venues, sometimes in people?s homes. Activities will be specifically tailored in consultation with those who are involved. Examples of activities might include photography, painting and cooking; oral history, music and computers; drama, gardening and exhibitions.
Upstream, which is based in Crediton but covers the Mid-Devon area, was awarded a substantial five-year grant by the New Opportunities Fund for Healthy Living Centres at the end of last year. Among those partners who have committed themselves to supporting Upstream are the Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, Devon County Council (together with Social Services, Education, Arts and Libraries), Mid Devon District Council, Arts Council England, Exeter University School of Education and the Peninsular Medical School.
For further information about becoming a mentor, contact Upstream Healthy Living Centre, PO Box 63, Crediton, Devon, EX17 4EA, or e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]
Alternatively telephone one of the following people: Simon Goodenough, director, 01363 777575; Claire Whewell, administrator, 01363 775328 or Sue Moore, co-ordinator, 01363 778029.