THE first arts festival for older people will be launched in Oxfordshire.

From October 1, Age UK will be laying on 14 days worth of art and culture for the county’s elderly.

The aim of the Age of Creativity (AoC) Festival is to increase the exposure older people get to cultural activities to help increase their wellbeing.

Organisers hope the festival will bring together an eclectic mix of opportunities, no matter what size and scale or art form to ensure innovation, interest and intrigue that is far reaching.

AoC wants the festival to generate more creative opportunities for older people who fall in the 38 per cent of people who ‘find it more difficult to attend than they did when they were younger’.

A spokesperson for Age UK said: “The Festival is a ‘first’ in England but we are climbing on giants’ shoulders because Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been running annual Arts Festivals for older people for years as a result of which participation in arts activities amongst older people has increased.”

A conference was also organised called: Love Later Life: Creativity and Cultural Participation, which will bring together for the first time three of the most important voices on creativity and older people in the country: David Cutler of the Baring Foundation, Darren Henley Head of the Arts Council England and Caroline Abrahams from Age UK.

Later next month on Friday, October 13 a research seminar will be held at The Institute at the University of Oxford, which will explore whether arts and culture has a positive impact on the wellbeing of older people.