Tactile Arts

Who we work with

Tactile Arts projects bring together young people aged eight and over but under twenty one years and older people over fifty five of age. We work with young people primary and secondary schools, junior, intermediate and senior youth clubs, detached youth projects and interest groups. The local older people are from over fifty five clubs, friendships groups, sheltered housing schemes, church groups and day centres.

How we work

Preparation is essential for all participants. Before the first intergenerational meeting, young people take part in training sessions that mix discussion and art work to explore their fears and preconceptions about older people. They may also practice communication techniques to use when meeting adults who have hearing or speech impairments. Preparation with the older people is just as important. Project artists, in liaison with group leaders and activities organisers, meet older people individually or in groups, explaining the aims of Tactile Arts and inviting their participation and ideas. Adults are encouraged to air their fears or feelings about young people and their expectations of the project. At the first intergenerational meeting the whole group take part in activities to break the ice, get everyone talking, having fun and working as a team. Each young person then buddies up with an older person; depending on the dynamics of the participants this can be a carefully planned partnership and staff will suggest who should buddy with who or have developed by chance through the team working activities. This partnership is carefully monitored to make sure that it continues to develop into a healthy and successful working relationship. Tactile Arts are committed to providing a high quality service to all its users, potential users and staff. For this reason we have developed a number of polices and practices:

• Equal opportunities
• Health and Safety
• Child Protection Policy
• Vulnerable Adults Policy
• Use of photographic images policy
• Use of audio information policy.

Our aims are:

• To bring groups of young and old together for purposeful and mutually beneficial activities
• To promote greater understanding and respect between the generations
• To develop projects that build on the positive resources that young and old have to offer each other
• To deliver projects that are stimulating, educational, creative, fun and inclusive
• To challenge stereotypical negative attitudes towards young and old
• To help groups build more cohesive communities.

Testimonials