Ourselves
In 2020 artists Rowena and Julie researched art software apps for tablets with a Creative Ireland Grant to help adapt their professional practices, seeking advocacy and an infrastructure for creative engagement within communities. The development of a digital platform and using technology with participants in a creative way will build digital literacy in a friendly environment for confidence, understanding and skills to adapt and reconnect.
Anam Beo will provide the tablets and creative apps with prepared open themed projects for staff and participants to interpret and enjoy. The artistic outcomes will be curated in participants own settings or viewed virtually. Reconnect is a model for arts delivery, up skilling artists, health care support workers, staff and participants in the use of creative apps.
We would like to thank Creative Ireland for supporting Conversations for YOUR Doorstep. Offaly County Council, The Community Foundation for Ireland RTE Comic Relief Fund with HSE Services for Older Persons & the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Back to Arts Fund supported by Business to Arts for Reconnect with The Irish Wheelchair Association. Reconnect is a focus on adaption, to deliver sessions with a digital arts toolkit & arts projects in a radically altered environment.
‘Conversations for YOUR Doorstep’
Supported by Creative Ireland Arts for Older people, this is a focus on the individual & groups needs. Using Reconnect as a valuable tool we wish to engage remotely and safely, ‘your doorstep’ means the person or group decides where, via carers or staff, on an actual doorstep or zoom depending on wishes or requirements.
Aims: Expand and make art by tailoring projects and infrastructure for those involved, abiding by safety guidelines, to help mitigate the negative impact and difficulties of loneliness, visibility, and isolation older people may have in Offaly.
Objective: Deliver and support positive ageing & creative engagements for older people that not only accommodates prevailing public health guidance in the community and for residential care facilities but also brings conversations and enjoyment. Outcomes: Social engagements & creativity for participants.