03 June 2009
1) What was your project about?
My project was focused on the elderly, I can understand their loneliness and wanted to support the organizations that helped them. I like doing crafts, so with the help of my J49 coordinator, I developed a six week Christmas crafts course. Around 8-10 clients of Age Concern took part every week and we spend an hour doing Christams presents and decoration. Thanks to the funding from J49, we could make really nice things that the Age Concern would not have normally access to (silk scarves, wreaths...).
It was fun and rewarding and although my project has finished long time ago, I still occasionally help out in Age Concern.
2) How do you think it made a difference to the community or wider world?
My project didnt change the world, but it made the life of 10 elderly women more enjoyable. Some were ill and had problems moving their hands, so it was a real challenge for them and it increased their confidence when they were able to overcome the difficulties.
3) What did you get out of/like about volunteering on this project?
My project was focused on the elderly, I can understand their loneliness and wanted to support the organizations that helped them. I like doing crafts, so with the help of my J49 coordinator, I developed a six week Christmas crafts course. Around 8-10 clients of Age Concern took part every week and we spend an hour doing Christams presents and decoration. Thanks to the funding from J49, we could make really nice things that the Age Concern would not have normally access to (silk scarves, wreaths...).
It was fun and rewarding and although my project has finished long time ago, I still occasionally help out in Age Concern.
2) How do you think it made a difference to the community or wider world?
My project didnt change the world, but it made the life of 10 elderly women more enjoyable. Some were ill and had problems moving their hands, so it was a real challenge for them and it increased their confidence when they were able to overcome the difficulties.
3) What did you get out of/like about volunteering on this project?
30 November 2008
I am half way through, with three lessons done and three coming up. So far, we have done glass painting, silk painting and porcelain painting. The ladies that take part on this course have now experienced working with different materials and made some beautiful projects. Especially designing their own silk scarf was very popular.
The last three sessions were meant to make some Christmas presents for friends and family, the next three are going to be about Christmas decorations. For tomorrow, I plan to do Christmas greeting cards. I have carefully chosen the materials not to be very detailed, so the elderly people would not have problems making them.
The last three sessions were meant to make some Christmas presents for friends and family, the next three are going to be about Christmas decorations. For tomorrow, I plan to do Christmas greeting cards. I have carefully chosen the materials not to be very detailed, so the elderly people would not have problems making them.
12 November 2008
I had my first lesson on Monday. I enjoyed it very much - around 10 ladies attended. We decorated glass candle holders and I think everyone had fun trying out this new techniques. Unfortunately some of the elderly people had problems holding the paintbrush and I also chose too detailed patterns. Next time I know I have to plan an easier project, because I do not want to discourage the ladies. They were excited about having the opportunity to paint their own silk scarf, so that is probably what we will do next Monday.
Overall I enjoyed myself a lot, although I had been little bit nervous in the begining. Martin Crosby was very supportive through out the whole lesson which I found really helpful. I cannot wait to do the next project, it was pleasant seeing the ladies being proud of their hand made candle holders!
Overall I enjoyed myself a lot, although I had been little bit nervous in the begining. Martin Crosby was very supportive through out the whole lesson which I found really helpful. I cannot wait to do the next project, it was pleasant seeing the ladies being proud of their hand made candle holders!
09 November 2008
Tomorrow is my first lesson - I did some crafts shopping and preparation over the weekend. Unfortunately I was not able to get beeswax sheets to do beeswax candles, but I got glass paints to do candle holder. It can be a Christmas one, with snowflakes and angels. Or I printed out animal and flower patterns, so everybody can choose what they like.
I am really looking forward to meeting the group!
I am really looking forward to meeting the group!