Scottish Parliament celebrates Lanarkshire organisation that ‘shines a light on arts and creativity’

Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson sponsored a Scottish Parliament reception to celebrate a decade of Scotland’s creative ageing organisation.

Luminate first started in 2012 as a nationwide festival with just one person on staff before moving to a year-round programme of support and advocacy for Scotland’s evolving creative ageing practice.

The charity works to ensure all older people in Scotland can enjoy high quality arts and creative activities, whatever their background or circumstances.

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The organisation helps older people participate in the arts and be creative alongside providing development opportunities for those who work creatively with older people, and for older artists themselves.

SNP MSP Ms Adamson told Lanarkshire Live: “I am thrilled to be a part of Luminate’s 10-year anniversary.

“We had community activists, grassroots creative projects, professional artists, adult learning bodies, care organisations and cultural organisations in Parliament gathered to celebrate a decade in service of creative ageing.

Claire Weddle, a therapeutic activity coordinator, was presented with the Arts in Older People’s Healthcare award
(Image: Mihaela Bodlovic)

“Luminate has been a champion of creative ageing: challenging stereotypes and firmly rejecting the notion that getting older means a winding down of ideas, passions, and talents.

“Culture and creativity connects us all – even if we may not realise it. Luminate has exemplified the immense social value of creative ageing and their programmes have changed people’s lives.

“It is an honour to celebrate their success in our national Parliament and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next.”

As part of its anniversary celebrations Luminate also announced six Creative Ageing Award winners.

Luminate director, Anne Gallacher, said: “Since 2012 Luminate has been a vocal champion of older people’s creativity, and we were thrilled to be able to run the Creative Ageing Awards as part of our 10th anniversary celebration.

“Nominations came from communities up and down the country, and it was incredibly inspiring to read about the diverse array of projects and people who were put forward.

“Selecting the winners was no easy task for our panel, but the chosen six are doing outstanding work and are very worthy recipients of our anniversary awards.”

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Daily Record – Motherwell