Arts for Health went to the Isles of Scilly on Wednesday 8th December to join in their Age and Ambition event, a celebration for older people living on the islands. We took a paper tree and cut outs of leaves, flowers, butterflies and apples with us for residents to use to record something they loved about being an older person on the islands and also one thing they might like to change.
Caroline, an Arts for Health practitioner, led everyone (including the local policeman and doctor!) in a seated dance session with giant inflated balls, lots of bunting and sea shanty music.
As well as being a celebration, the event also informed the older people on the islands about facilites and services available to them, such as the exciting new ‘buzz a bus’ which is designed to help them travel more easily around, an introduction to using the internet and Skype, and a talk from the Memory Clinic nurse.
The event also formed part of a consultation around the planned extra care housing for the island. Everyone was able to contribute to the discussion and make their feelings and opinions heard.