Sandwell Third Age Arts (STAA) is featured within a Baring Foundation publication, ‘Ageing Artfully’.  STAA is a West Bromwich-based organisation using the arts to improve the quality of life of older people with mental health needs and people with dementia.

‘Ageing Artfully’ is a review of activities and projects delivered by professional arts organisations which benefit older people in the UK.  It contains a foreward by Dame Joan Bakewell, provides examples of the work and touches on some of the challenges and stigma surrounding arts work with older people.  Overall it is a useful resource for organisations working in this field.  It can be downloaded here.

The publication coincides with the launch of the Baring Foundation’s programme of grants for arts organisations working with older people.  It intends to award a total of around £3 million over five annual rounds, to strengthen arts organisations already working in the area. Organisations depending on their size can apply for between £45K and £63K in total over three years for help with core costs: salaries, management, administration, professional development, documentation and evaluation, publicity and day to day office costs. The first round of grants has closed but it is worth looking out for future opportunities.  See the Baring Foundation website.

For more information on Sandwell Third Age Arts, visit their website or contact them on 0121 500 1259 or email info@staa.org.uk