The documentary, directed by Mary Deely and Eamonn Dunne, highlights the profound impact of HeARTS on older people’s lives, bringing art directly into their homes and offering a lifeline of creativity, connection, and joy. • Empowering creativity
• Breaking down barriers
• Alleviating loneliness
• Fostering connection
• Nurturing joy
HeARTS is a unique initiative that fosters creativity and human connection through one-on-one art workshops at the participants’ homes. The project demonstrates how artistic expression combats loneliness, uplifts the spirit, and enriches lives.
“Through the filming of this project, we were lucky to witness first-hand just how wonderful the HeARTS programme is, seeing older people and artists creating side by side in such a relaxed and genuine way. We hope the film captures some of what makes HeARTS so special,” said Mary and Eamonn.
- HeARTS connects professional artists with older people in Mayo, providing personal mentorship and high-quality art materials.
- The programme enables participants to explore painting, drawing, and nature-inspired creativity in a comfortable, familiar environment.
- Each week, 18 older people in Mayo receive visits from HeARTS artists, who bring the art-making experience to their homes.
- The initiative has reached over 100 people in Mayo since its inception in 2009.
The documentary highlights the transformative impact of HeARTS on participants’ lives, showcasing the ways in which art-making can alleviate loneliness, uplift the spirit, and enrich lives.
| Benefits of HeARTS | Positive outcomes |
|---|---|
| Breaking down social barriers | Increased social connections and community engagement. |
| Fostering creativity and self-expression | Improved mental health and wellbeing. |
| Alleviating loneliness and isolation | Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. |
The upcoming documentary launch is a celebration of the transformative work of HeARTS and a call to action, bringing attention to the initiative’s impact and advocating for sustainable long-term funding to secure its future. “We are thrilled that HeARTS is the recipient of this year’s Arts and Health Documentation Bursary Award. This bursary provides an opportunity to showcase arts and health practice to national audiences, raise awareness of its impact, and inspire other artists, healthcare staff, and health service users involved in arts and health projects,” said Claire Meaney, director of Réalta, Developing Arts + Health in Ireland. HeARTS is a powerful reminder that growing older should never mean growing disconnected. The documentary launch is an opportunity to share the story of this remarkable initiative and inspire others to get involved in promoting creativity and connection among older adults. Key highlights of the documentary launch include:
• The premiere of the documentary at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar. • A launch event featuring Minister Dara Calleary and key stakeholders. • An opportunity to meet the artists and participants, as well as learn more about the initiative. • A call to action to support HeARTS and promote sustainable long-term funding. The documentary captures the essence of HeARTS, showcasing the transformative impact of art-making on older people’s lives. It is a testament to the power of creativity and connection in promoting positive outcomes and enriching lives. “The resulting film beautifully tells the story of the project. Set against the spectacular rural landscape of Mayo, the film captures both the vastness of the area and the sense of isolation that people might experience. The participants are so generous in sharing their lives and love of artmaking. It’s a beautiful documentary – just like the project itself,” said Claire Meaney. HeARTS is a shining example of the impact of arts and health initiatives, demonstrating the importance of creativity and connection in promoting positive outcomes and enriching lives among older adults. The documentary launch is an opportunity to celebrate this remarkable initiative and inspire others to get involved in promoting HeARTS and its values.
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