David Slater

Fellow’s Profile

David Slater

Fellow’s Profile

David Slater

Growing old creatively: staying valued and engaged

Fellowship

Themes

Focus

Developing opportunities for frail and isolated older people to engage with their local communities

Countries

Fellowship year

2010

Supported by

Locality

London

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Biography

I am an Associate of the south-east London participatory arts organisation Entelechy Arts, having stepped down from my role as founder director in 2020.

The focus of my Fellowship was on the role of the arts in supporting isolated older people to become recognised and valued members of their communities. My Fellowship enabled me to connect with artists and older people across the USA from Los Angeles to New York.

From developing arts projects with older people in care homes in the mid 1970s, forming a theatre company with older women from London docklands communities in the 1980s, to reimagining creative day care provision in the 2010s, I have always been passionate about creating theatre with older people. My career has focused on working alongside people who otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to use their skills and imaginations to contribute to the cultural life of their communities.

My 2010 Fellowship inspired lots of wonderful adventures, including a live-streamed soap opera with 80 year olds from Los Angeles and London performing together in real time. It gave me the courage to develop work with artists and companies internationally, most notably in Brazil and Japan.

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

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