DLR launches Let’s Get Social!

Let’s Get Social is an innovative and ambitious programme that builds on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s strong track record in developing creative health and wellbeing projects through the support of Creative Ireland funding. The aim of Let’s Get Social dlr is to pilot, test and develop initiatives that combat social isolation for older people, migrants and those who are affected adversely by health challenges.

Taking place over two years, 2024 – 2025, the programme relies on strong partnerships, including internally with dlr Libraries, Arts Office, Age Friendly programme and Local Area Integration Team, and externally with Southside Partnership’s Social Prescribing programme, the HSE Health and Wellbeing team and local healthcare and community settings. The programme focuses on enhancing people’s health and wellbeing in dlr.

Councillor Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“We are delighted to launch Let’s Get Social dlr across the county. The focus on enabling positive ageing across the county and contributing to an improvement in participant’s mental and physical wellbeing through creative arts and culture is much needed, in particular for those who for a variety of reasons are more isolated than others.”

Over the two-year period, there are 4 projects that will take place under the umbrella title Let’s Get Social dlr. This includes an extension of the Social Prescribing Libraries and Community Creative Café programme, a continuation and development of dlr Libraries and Age Friendly programme Creative Brainwaves talks/podcast series, two new pilot performing arts clubs led by dlr’s Age Friendly Programme and Local Area Integration Team, and an innovative capacity building professional development programme for artists and healthcare workers delivered by the Arts Office.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“The focus in Let’s Get Social dlr of developing capacity for artists and healthcare workers living and working in dlr in this very specialist field of creative arts and health is most welcome. Through bespoke training, pilot projects, and public events, we hope to enable greater knowledge within the healthcare sector and wider public about the positive impacts of creativity for our population.”

We hope that through these activities our communities will feel connected and creative.

If you are interested in participating in the Let’s Get Social programme and for further information, please contact Katy Fitzpatrick, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, dlr at creativeireland@dlrcoco.ie.

More detail on each project is as follows:

The Social Prescribing Libraries and Community Creative Café programme includes 4-week taster cafés, longer artform specific cafés and a new alumni café, and the idea is that Social Prescribing participants can enjoy a cup of tea and coffee and engage in a creative activity. This builds on our successful partnership with Southside Partnership dlr’s Social Prescribing Team who deliver the project. The Creative Café support participants by connecting them socially with others and with dlr’s community and cultural spaces and events. Projects will take place in libraries across the county, including in the LexIcon, Blackrock Library, Deansgrange Library and Shankill.

dlr Libraries and Age Friendly programme Creative Brainwaves talks/podcast series continues with 3 series of events envisaged, taking place in October 2024, May 2025 and October 2025 in dlr LexIcon Studio. Curated by musician Mike Hanrahan from the Global Brain Health Institute, the series explores how the creative arts can improve brain health with contributions from neuroscientists, researchers and creative artists.

The Arts Office’s capacity building professional development programme comprises bespoke workshops for creatives and healthcare professionals with highly skilled practitioners Tess Leak and Sarah Cairns, and in 2025 will pilot four creative projects in healthcare/community settings across dlr that will engage with older communities, including those living with dementia.

Finally, two new performing arts clubs piloted and led by dlr’s Age Friendly Programme and Local Area Integration Team focus on those in active retirement and IPA/migrant communities in the Dundrum area. These workshops are being delivered by highly skilled artists dancer Philippa Donnellan and percussionist Brian Fleming.

Let’s Get Social dlr is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme under the Creative Health & Wellbeing in the Community Scheme. Creative Ireland is a five-year programme which connects people, creativity and wellbeing. It is an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme that inspires and transforms people, places and communities through creativity. We are committed to the vision that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.