Scoping

In crafting an overview of the field, Rebecca consulted literature published by the foundation and arts and older people’s organisations and policy documents produced in the four nations of the UK. She also conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 leaders in the field, toured the country visiting exemplary organisations and oversaw a call for programme details. Rebecca found a rich seam of participatory activity in the community alongside a growing number of artists developing, discovering or returning to their practice in older age. She examined the barriers that prevented older people from becoming involved in creative and cultural activities and the ways in which these were being overcome. She gave consideration to the progress that had been made and work yet to be done. Her findings were published as a 100-page report, culminating in an extensive list of creative ageing programmes in the UK.