The population of Helsinki is ageing rapidly. Helsinki is home to around 120,000 people over 65, which is almost a fifth of the city's population. The City is committed to supporting the wellbeing and functional capacity of older people, and important partners in this include operators in the field of arts and culture, clubs, associations and foundations that organise physical activity.
This year, the City of Helsinki will provide support in the amount of EUR 2 million for cultural and sports activities for older persons. The City will support cultural projects with EUR 1.3 million in total and projects promoting physical activity with EUR 700,000. The grants are funded from state inheritance funds allocated to the City of Helsinki.
Forms and opportunities for participation
Cultural grants to promote cultural activities for older people were awarded to 34 operators for projects lasting between one and three years. To be eligible, the projects had to promote arts and culture services in the local area or, alternatively, digital or remote services. Grants were also awarded for the development of volunteering or peer support. Emphasis was also placed on promoting intergenerational encounters, diversity and multiculturalism.
The arts and culture projects supported included theatre, dance, contemporary circus, film and music. The projects offer both low-threshold participation and opportunities for more long-term involvement. Interaction, human encounters and community spirit are important elements in the activities.
Influence and empowerment through activities
Culture and sport grants to promote cultural activities for older people have also been awarded in previous years. An analysis of the effectiveness of past project periods has shown that participants have found the activities meaningful and empowering. The activities improved participants’ mood and functional capacity and reduced loneliness. Feedback from participants shows that independent physical activity increased, and participants’ self-esteem and belief in their own capability was boosted.
One respondent said that the activity had given their life a mental boost, while another said that they were surprised that they were still able to learn new things and was encouraged to try things they did not think they could do. The effects were mental and physical, as one respondent explains: "Senior group is the highlight of the week for me, I leave my home and my comfort zone. I feel alive and active. I forget the pains, aches and any unpleasantness."
The cultural and physical activity grants for older people have also succeeded in deepening the arts and sports operators’ knowledge of working with older people and their understanding of the diverse needs of the target group.