A special scheme aimed at promoting the arts and combating social isolation has been launched this week in Roscommon.
The 'Cultural Companions' project aims to bring together like minded people over 50 who may not have anyone to attend the cultural events with.
The project is being co-ordinated by Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon council's Arts Office and Age Friendly programme, as well as the Roscommon Volunteer Group.
Shanette Budhai who is manager of the Roscommon Volunteer Centre has been explaining more about the concept.
'So the three of us will work together to put together a programme of shows and activities.
Then invite anyone over the age of 50 who's interested in the arts to come along and participate in these programmes and attend them.
So essentially they would meet other like minded people before the show, they would socialise, they would be offered a free coffee and some snacks and maybe spend half an hour just milling around and getting to know each other.
In that time, our ambition is for that group to gel and to become friends and to just make additional social contacts.'
