A chance to make new friends through the arts
A PROGRAMME called ‘Cultural Companions’ was launched at a gathering in County Council headquarters recently, hosted by the local authority’s art officer Liz Burns and age friendly co-ordinator Ann Marie Laffin.
About 80 people attended the meeting which was held to outline an exciting new initiatve jointly run by the Arts Deparment and the Community section of the council and aimed at people over the age of 50 who are interested in attending arts and cultural events.
The purpose of Cultural Companions is to provide them with access to a network of like-minded people who attend events together as a group.
‘The aim is to provide increased opportunities for older people to engage with Wexford’s vibrant arts and cultural scene,’ said Ms Laffan.
People who sign up receive a quarterly calendar of events and book and pay independently for the events they wish to attend. Members meet before each event and enjoy a social get-together afterwards. Membership is free and people can go on their own or with friends. A ‘meet and greet’ person attends each event to introduce members to each other. Volunteers from Dublin’s Cultural Companions group attended the Wexford launch.
Anyone interested in signing up to Cultural Companions should contact Wexford County Council staff member Lisa Fortune at 053 9196369 or email culturalcompanions@wexfordcoco.ie for more information.