Idea: Crafts Course for Elderly

 
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What it's all about

Run a course for elderly people with a goal to entertain them. As well as teaching them new skills and giving them the opportunity to meet other people. Since Christmas is coming soon, the crafts course could be oriented towards this season.

Marketa Setinova has asked for help on this idea - Find out how you can help

What's needed to make it a reality

I would need materials, advice on working with older people, research the ideas.

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  • Avatar Sarah 16:25, 23 October 2008 J49 Staff Hi Marketa,

    What a lovely idea. I think this would be a really nice project to run with older people and the Christmas theme is great, everyone loves Christmas :-)

    You should check out the Age Concern website as they have advice on how to work with older people and you can also download guides or order free booklets which could be used to give to volunteers working on the project. Here's the link:
    http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/C898A5B2525F42EF913AAA1F216DA625.asp

    As you're students at Kingston you can access up to £750 to help turn your idea into reality. I see you've already got in contact with Martin, your Volunteer Support Officer, which is great. He can help you with advice, funding, training and general support throughout the course of the project. Check out the Kingston University page:
    http://www.junction49.co.uk/university/19/kingston_students_union/

    I hope that helps, let us know if you need anything else.

    Sarah     Report Abuse
  • Avatar Sarah 16:06, 07 November 2008 J49 Staff Hi Marketa,

    I hope the setting up of the project is going well. You can update your diary to let everyone know what you have been up to. Just to let you know, Davinia in Derby is setting up a
    similar project, working in a residential home to teach the elderly how to make their own cards. It might be worth getting in contact to see if you can share any ideas or perhaps if you're interested in making cards too. You can also talk to the project leaders of Kathy's Club at UCL, who you might be able to share ideas and advice with if you wanted. The links to their projects can be found below.

    http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/1855/cards_for_all/
    http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/1790/ucl_kathy_s_club_elderly_activities/

    Sarah     Report Abuse
  • Avatar Sophie Constantinou 15:31, 12 November 2008 Hi Marketa,

    Your project sounds really great. I have found that simpler tasks are often more productive, as the elderly often also have trouble with fine motor skills. I'm a junior carer at the weekend and the arts and crafts I've found successful include simple paintings, colouring. If you wanted to tie this in with a christmas theme, you could do christmans cards with a picture to fill in? Or perhaps even simple crafts like working pipecleaners into a christmas tree decorations etc.

    Let us know how your project is coming along, and best of luck!
    Sophie (+ Sanjay)     Report Abuse
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