Getting There – Arts Taxi Project
Over three years Equal Arts developed and ran a scheme to enable better access to the arts for people over the age of 60, living in the Gateshead Borough. Membership of the scheme provided a subsidised taxi service to any arts event, venue or community centre for arts activities in Gateshead and Newcastle.
The taxi service helped many older people with health and mobility problems to retain their independence and visit a wide range of local venues. Trips organised for the members by Equal Arts to the Laing and Hatton Art Galleries, the Tyneside Cinema (when it was in Gateshead), Live Theatre, and the Sage Gateshead encouraged them to visit new places independently, helped them build confidence and enabled them to meet each other.
"It's given me a new lease of life."
"Wonderful scheme – allows me to keep a bit of independence."
"I felt especially safe about coming back at night."
