Today, Sandwell Arts Trust, the company responsible for managing The Public in West Bromwich, were awarded a grant of £95,358 from The Big Lottery Fund and their Reaching Communities Fund, to help develop a Creative HUB for Older People in Sandwell.
The Public
The three year project, a partnership between Sandwell Arts Trust, Sandwell University of the Third Age (U3A) and Age UK Sandwell aims to provide a safe and centrally-located space for a range of creative and IT activities for older people, as well as providing an advice ‘drop in’ service to help reduce feelings of isolation and to increase creative skills and well-being.
Linda Saunders, Managing Director of The Public said: “Sandwell Arts Trust, on behalf of Sandwell Creative Hub for Older People and in partnership with Sandwell University of the Third Age and Age UK are delighted to receive funding from BIG. The funding will enable us to establish a well equipped and creative space and run an exciting range of creative activities alongside access to high quality advice. For older people it will be a great opportunity to come together to break down feelings of isolation, stretch creative skills and increase sense of well being by taking part in and leading interesting programmes for themselves and others.”
Phil Page from Sandwell U3A said: “Sandwell University of the Third Age (SU3A) has grown rapidly since moving to The Public in 2010. An informal partnership has been built up, with more and more older people visiting the venue and enjoying its excellent facilities. Support from staff at The Public has enabled SU3A to fulfil, and expand, its role as a provider of low cost, day time educational and social activities for people no longer in full time employment. This new project creates a focal point for activities, information and support for the large number of older people in the Borough, bringing together three organisations dedicated to helping that target group.”