By examining specific case studies that engaged with older people on different creative projects as well as examples of best practice, the Vitamin C: The positive effect of creativity on wellbeing in older people the panel will explore differing perspectives on the value of creative activities in later life to mental health and wellbeing, and will suggest practical and policy requirements that could support future developments.

It is the ambition of all involved in this important discussion that it will identify the key challenges from both health and creative perspectives as well as opportunities for future collaboration and help start a conversation on specific areas for action in the area of arts and older people.

The panel discussion will be led by Irish Times journalist Jennifer O’Connell and will include contributions from:

• Dr David Robinson, Consultant Geriatrician, St James’s Hospital
• Kate O’Flaherty, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
• Dr Denise Rogers, Senior Clinical Psychologist, HSE
• Bridget Deevy, Arts Programme, Age & Opportunity
• Dominic Campbell, Co-founder, Creative Aging International

The event is based on a successful event run by the Creative Ireland Programme and Healthy Ireland in March which explored the value of creativity in health to mental wellbeing outcomes more generally.

Vitamin C : The positive effect of creativity on wellbeing in older people will be held on 21^st July 2020 10.30-12.00 to register please tinyurl.com/VitaminCEvent