Crea(C)tive Ageing

The aim of the project was to strengthen the well-being and activity of older people and to develop the competences of adult educators through the use of creative and innovative working methods. W...

The aim of the project was to strengthen the well-being and activity of older people and to develop the competences of adult educators through the use of creative and innovative working methods. We wanted to create a space where seniors and educators learn from each other and where international experiences are transferred into local activities. Our goal was to develop a practical tool – the Vital Life Planner – supporting seniors in daily organisation, health, and personal development. Another key objective was to enhance staff competences in art therapy, creative methods, digital education, and mindfulness, so they could enrich their educational offers. Through the international training in Wrocław, a series of local workshops, and dissemination events, we aimed to promote the idea of active ageing, strengthen intergenerational ties, and build more inclusive communities. We also sought to reinforce the partnership between organisations from Poland, Italy, and Bulgaria and to lay the foundations for further cooperation in supporting seniors and adult education.

1. The project began with a kick-off meeting combined with a study visit in Sofia, which allowed the partners to agree on the details of cooperation. 2. A key stage was the international training in Wrocław with the participation of educators and seniors from Poland, Italy, and Bulgaria. The programme included sessions on well-being, senior activation, innovative support methods, digital tools, as well as practical workshops and inspiring visits. 3. On this basis, 16 local workshops were organised, developing creativity, digital competences, and intergenerational integration. 4. In parallel, the Vital Life Planner was developed and tested in each country, and then made available in four languages as an open resource. 5. The project culminated in multiplier events, during which results and participants’ experiences were presented. The project was also disseminated during other occasions, such as the Entrepreneurship Week in Leszno, the Gala of Cultural Creators in Lipno, and the nationwide networking event Sieciowanie SPLOT. 6. We conducted also a wide evaluation of our project and our partnership.

The most important result of the project was the Vital Life Planner, developed in four languages and tested with seniors in Poland, Italy, and Bulgaria. This innovative tool combines the functions of a calendar, diary, and workbook, supporting the health, activity, and well-being of older people. Another significant outcome was the strengthening of educators’ competences: participants of the training in Wrocław gained new skills in art therapy, creative methods, mindfulness, and digital education. This enabled them to run activities in their communities and enrich their organisations’ educational offers. The 16 local workshops carried out in the three countries allowed seniors to develop creativity, learn new technologies, strengthen social ties, and experience intergenerational integration. Some seniors also had the opportunity to lead activities themselves. The project also resulted in the inclusion of the theme of active ageing in local cultural and educational initiatives (lectures). It contributed to the creation of a lasting network of cooperation between organisations, while its outcomes were disseminated during project conferences and external events, which increased their impact.