Reducing Social Isolation in a Rural Community Through Participation in Creative Arts Projects

This article reports the initial findings from the
evaluation of four creative arts projects involving
groups of older people living in a rural community.
The purpose of the projects was to reduce social
isolation among participants through providing direct
access to arts and social activities.
The view was that these activities would improve
life skills and independence, increase levels of activity
and improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life
of participants.
Evaluation of these projects demonstrated
increased levels of self-worth and self-esteem among
participants, and many of the older people involved
agreed that they had made new friends while having
the opportunity to try out a new activity.