Glasgow Museums

Weekday Wow Factor discos and walks

In April 2020, in response to the impact of Covid on the health and wellbeing of older people, the Open Museum teamed up with the Weekday Wow Factor to offer online weekly museum quizzes followed by a disco – with participants dancing together online – aimed at older people.

The discos were fun, but also offered an opportunity to make social connections, access peer support and to take part in physical activity at a time when many older people were increasingly isolated due to Covid restrictions and many were leading more sedentary lives.

In June 2020 we diversified to offer online walks. These consisted of a museum quiz plus a walk at home while viewing films from all over the world. We have walked everywhere from Fife to Japan!

The activities have now been running weekly for more than a year. The only costs of this work have been staffing; the activities have been supported by a range of student placements and volunteers in addition to museum staff.

Evaluation carried out by PhD researcher Cassandra Kist has shown that participants value the social connections gained, the positive impact on social isolation and the peer support offered, with some stating that online activities have had unexpected benefits such as breaking down cliques and improving digital literacies used to connect with family and friends.

Participants enjoyed the museum activities for the social aspects and for opportunities to learn and keep their minds active. They discussed the engagement with collections as being “inspiring” and “thought-provoking”.

The activities will continue online in the near future, but this may change as Covid restrictions ease. However we hope the bonds developed during this period will last longer than the restrictions and that we can meet the group in-person soon.