About this project
ROAM is a creative programme designed to support wellbeing and social connection in Cork City. Developed by Cork City Council and Irish Hospice Foundation through the Creative Ireland Programme, ROAM is part of a wider Creative Communities Initiative within Sláintecare Healthy Communities.
The project responds to some of the lasting impacts of the pandemic, particularly for those who have experienced isolation, loss, or disruption to social connections or key life moments. Through music, art, and shared creative experiences, ROAM provides opportunities for people to reconnect, explore, and celebrate their communities.
A panel of seven local artists has been specially trained in creative approaches to grief and loss, equipping them to lead workshops, performances, and exhibitions in schools and community spaces. Children and older people are at the heart of these activities, rediscovering their neighbourhoods and sparking intergenerational conversations and connections.
This initiative is funded through Creative Ireland’s Creative Health and Wellbeing in the Community programme and is guided by a collaborative, interagency steering group.
What
Through music, art, and shared creative experiences ROAM provides opportunities for people to reconnect, explore, and celebrate their communities. Children and older people are at the heart of these activities, rediscovering their neighbourhoods and sparking intergenerational conversations and connections.
When
The project grew in four phases, Discuss, Develop, Deliver, Reflect, running from June 2024 to Autumn 2025. Following a proposal to Creative Ireland and the allocation of an award:
Discuss -June to October 2024
The lead groups explored approach and responsibilities
Develop – October to December 2024
A call out to artists selected 7 from 56 applicants. Irish Hospice Foundation led a bespoke training in art and its roles in loss and grief. Through this training artists developed their process for working with groups of young adults and older people. At the same time Irish Hospice Foundation led training in grief and loss for community groups, Council staff and Cork NGO’s and health care workers.
Deliver – January to May 2025
The project kicked off with a rousing night of music featuring many Cork community musicians playing with the Tinderbox Orchestra to a full house in Dance Centre Firkin Crane on Valentine’s weekend.
Artists were paired with schools and older adults groups, they worked through visual arts and music to explore their areas, what stories are in the landscape and in the landscape of the imagination. The programmes were designed to increase confidence and curiosity.
They developed towards RoamCork over May 29th, 30th, 31st with Encounters, Exchanges and Exhibitions.
Reflect – June onwards 2025
This project is a short moment in the life of these communities, the local agencies and the collaborators. At the end of every project we take sometime to listen and learn. What happened here?
Learning
Our learning will be shared through this and the partner sites.
Revisit here monthly to see what we have added.
Link to reports to follow
Theory and Research
Roam Cork is a playful project based on some serious research into the impact of arts and creativity on health and healthy behaviour, and research that is detailing the story of the impact of the most recent pandemic.
“ROAM demonstrates how creativity can enhance connection, healing, and overall health in our communities. By uniting children, older adults, and local artists, the project helps individuals reflect on the pandemic’s impact and reimagine the spaces they inhabit. This initiative aligns with the Creative Ireland Programme’s goal to unlock creative potential, benefiting both individuals and the community. It also supports the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time, by fostering community health and wellbeing. I am proud that Cork City Council, in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation and community groups, is leading such thoughtful and inspiring work.”
First citizen Lord Mayor Cllr. Dan Boyle
Arts and Health
There is a global and growing movement of people working creatively using the arts to address health, care and wellbeing challenges. There is work with all ages, in all types of places, with healthy people and those who are unwell. The arts are of all kinds from music and visual arts, to dance, crafts, and carnival. Irish Hospice Foundation and Cork City Council are amongst the first to address the enduring impact of loss. Here we share a few links to research that lay behind our thinking. There was a lot more, some of this we will share in the Reports.
WHOHealth Evidence Network synthesis report; 67
What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review:
https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553
Compassionate Communities are programmes which develop self-help to support people through difficult times in their lives.
https://hospicefoundation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Compassionate-Communities-Position-Paper-2025.pdf
Time to Reflect explored the impact of COVID-19 and public health measures on the experiences and perceptions of the Irish population in relation to dying, death, and bereavement during this time. Read the report.
https://hospicefoundation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Time-to-Reflect-Report-2023-Irish-Hospice-Foundation.pdf
A new vision for death and dying | The Lancet Commission on the Value of Death
The Lancet Commission On The Value of Death is a landmark research suggest a need for health and care services to re-examine the universal realities of dying, death, grief and loss
