Project title
Description of initiative
Local History Cafés are community based heritage and well-being get-togethers for nearby residents aged 50 and over experiencing, or at risk of, social isolation and loneliness. Local History Cafes take place on a monthly basis, lasting around 2 and a half hours and comprise of tea and cake over a catch up, a heritage themed presentation and a related activity. The Local History Cafe programme aims to:
- Tackle social isolation and loneliness amongst over 50s through a quality heritage and well-being programme.
- Support heritage and community organisations to learn new skills and use existing skills, experience and assets to tackle these issues.
- Apply an asset-based, partnership approach, supporting collaboration across sectors working on social isolation and loneliness.
Further information on the initiative
Themes: Culture and...
Keywords
Target group
Cultural field
Timeframe
Sources of funding
Results, benefits, impact and lessons learnt
A positive view of the Local History Cafe sessions was that they were welcoming and safe and helped those anxious about attending a social group for the first time. The sessions had the potential to create a sense of self-fulfillment and agency. Knowing more about your local area, the buildings, and street names could “enlighten” a person. The approach was also felt to be inclusive in that everyone could take part and contribute. As the talks were based on local history, they resonated with people's experiences and life, often provoking earlier memories which enabled people to reminisce and reflect on their lives.