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Stories of creative ageing

Jackie Reynolds (Faculty of Arts & Creative Technologies, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK)

Working with Older People

ISSN: 1366-3666

Article publication date: 9 March 2015

334

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the benefits and issues relating to arts participation in later life.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on literature relating to older people's arts participation, and also includes discussion of the author's doctoral research into arts and ageing. The research was a qualitative study, influenced by narrative approaches and life-course perspectives. It involved interviews with 24 participants who have connections with a case-study town in the English Midlands.

Findings

The paper focuses on the findings from six participants belonging to a male voice choir. The themes that are discussed include the importance of continuity; issues of identity; mutual support; impact of ill health and the sustainability of group activities.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small-scale study, based in one case study town. Care should therefore be taken in generalising to different populations and areas. Potential for future research includes: other geographical locations, including larger urban areas. Specific focus on choir participation, or other art form. Involving people from a wider range of ethnic backgrounds.

Social implications

This study adds to a growing body of evidence about the value of arts and culture to society.

Originality/value

This study is original in adopting life-course perspectives to understand later life arts participation. It also offers original insights into the nature of arts-generated social capital and how this may be viewed within a wider context of resourceful ageing.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The PhD research was funded by a RAE Investment Studentship from Keele University. The author would like to thank all the people who generously allowed the author to interview them, and also the author's PhD supervisors, Professor Thomas Scharf and Professor Miriam Bernard.

Citation

Reynolds, J. (2015), "Stories of creative ageing", Working with Older People, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-11-2014-0035

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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