Creative agency Media Co-op in Glasgow has trained a group of campaigners in their 70s, 80s and 90s to create and promote a series of short animations encouraging older adults to stay mobile and connected.
The #StayMobileStayConnected campaigners are members of Paisley social enterprise Roar – Connections for Life, which provides services for older people. The animations promote the message that if older adults stay mobile and stay connected, they can continue to live life to the full – and help take the pressure off the NHS.
The one-minute films – Prevention Is Cheaper, No Cotton Wool, Don’t Let Doctors and Shrink to A Chair – were premiered at an ‘Older and Bolder’ event as part of the Scottish government’s Fire Starter Festival, which explores creative and innovative ways to bring about personal and societal transformation.
“It’s a great message for people who are isolated,” said campaigner Carol Kyle. “Being involved in the campaign has meant a lot to me because I know what it’s like to feel like that. I had help to get over my first feeling of being nothing, not wanting to do anything, but someone helped me and I hope other people can get help from this.”
Media Co-op trained the campaigners in a number of ways – including workshops on speaking to groups and holding discussions in order to raise awareness; artwork and animation training and social media skills.
Claire Dean, one of the co-op’s directors, said: “They loved it. They did the voices on the animations too. It’s their voices saying the campaign messages.
Ms Dean carried out the social media training, with the help of students from Glasgow Caledonian University. “We helped the campaigners develop their skills in creating campaign messages, increasing followers and reaching influencers. It was fantastic and they were all truly inspiring.
“We work with the public and third sectors because we only work with organisations that do good – and they were a joy to work with. Some of them have their own stories of losing a loved one and subsequently getting the help they needed to make new connections and change their lives. They are living proof it can be done.”
