AGE Cymru is seeking volunteers who are passionate about cultural sites to join their newly formed Culture Club.

The scheme, funded by Welsh Government and being piloted in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, aims to support isolated older people to visit and enjoy cultural sites such as museums, public art work, and parks.

Culture Club's aims include:

  • Building the confidence of isolated older people;
  • Helping older people to make new friends; 
  • Encouraging older people to get out and about to safely enjoy cultural sites (with the help of a friendly volunteer).

The volunteers may travel with the older people, or they may meet them at the site, whichever suits both parties best.

Volunteers will receive training from Age Cymru and will be matched with between one and four older people for monthly meet-ups.

Culture Club will initially run a pilot project in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan during springtime before extending the project into other parts of Wales later in the year.

Age Cymru’s Kelly Barr, who will oversee the project, said:

“We know that lots of older people are living lonely and isolated lives and although many of them are interested in our cultural sites, they do not have the confidence to visit them on their own. 

“This lack of confidence has, for many, been made worse by the pandemic with some older people shielding and not visiting their usual places of socialisation. 

"We hope that Culture Club can be the kick start they need to get back out into their communities and start enjoying many of our cultural sites once more.” 

If you feel like you may benefit from either joining, or volunteering, e-mail kelly.barr@agecymru.org.uk or call 029 2043 1555.