Cultural Companions

A new initiative for older people beginning May 2011

Many of us would probably go to a lot more plays, films, shows, concerts, exhibitions or other events if we had someone to go with. There’s a thriving social and arts scene out there to be enjoyed if only we had someone with the know-how, the transport or the shared interest to get us going. That’s where Cultural Companions comes in…

Cultural Companions is a new Bealtaine Festival initiative, developed by Age & Opportunity and funded by Bord Gáis Foundation.

It will be piloted in Cork City and North Dublin from May – October 2011.

Cultural Companions was launched in Dublin last week with a lovely film screening in the Irish Film Institute followed by a reception in the Gallery of Photography. We have had an amazing response from people and in just under 3 weeks we have had over 100 Dublin based people (aged 55 – 89) contacting to see how they can be part of Cultural Companions.

Now, in terms of Cork…

We will be marking the start of Cultural Companions in Cork next Thursday 26th May in Cork Opera House @ 7.30pm. We see this evening as an opportunity to bring all our new members together for the first time to meet and mingle and to acknowledge the support of Bord Gáis Foundation. We have also reserved a number of complimentary tickets for other people who are only just now hearing about Cultural Companions – would be interested, but may not have had a chance to sign up as members yet.

So this is why I am contacting you. We are keen to start getting the word out about Cultural Companions in Cork and we would like to invite as many people as possible to the welcome/launch event next Thursday, so that people can find out more about the initiative and what we are trying to do, while enjoying a night at the theatre.

(See here an outline of the event and some more information about the initiative)

At the Dublin event, most of our new members came alone and by the end of the afternoon, everyone was chatting freely and there was a fantastic atmosphere in the place. We would love to see the same happen next Thursday. So if you or someone you know would like be part of Cultural Companions and would like to come along next week just phone (0851287866) or email me and I will reserve a ticket for you. Tickets for this event must be reserved in advance.

Also just to say….

I will be hosting 2 information sessions in the Cork Opera House next Tuesday 24th from 1 – 2.30pm and from 3 – 4.30pm for anyone who is interested in finding out more practical information about Cultural Companions (how it all works, who is it for, what’s a volunteer companion, how are people matched up, how to book tickets etc.) It’s no problem at all if people can’t make the information session on Tuesday (I will be running more info sessions over the next few weeks anyway) – so people will know exactly how it’s all going to work etc.

But for us the focus is on next Thursday and we’d love to see as many people there as possible. We want it to be a very welcoming and memorable night for everyone and one that firmly marks the start of this network in Cork.

So, start getting the word out there to anyone you feel might like to be part of Cultural Companions