Encourage a crafty older person in East Hampshire!
All across the East Hampshire area and beyond, you’ll be able to find a range of different creative and crafting activities that are suitable for older people.
At Home Instead East Hampshire and Midhurst, we firmly believe that in addition to encouraging your older loved one or friend to remain as physically active as possible, it’s also good to give them some mental stimulation as well. And if they have been (or would still like to be) creative in any way, one great way to achieve this is through getting them to try different craft activities. From Holybourne to Waterlooville, here are a few they could try…
Card crafting in Southampton
Card crafting is a great activity to start developing your ageing adult’s creative side. Producing handmade cards is something that can be achieved by people of all ages. In Southampton, there’s a course run by Cardinal Cards, which teaches participants a wide range of techniques – from the simple to the slightly more difficult. These include creating the backgrounds; the use of inks, embossing or stencils; and the use of pre-created stamps.
The course costs £20 for the first class but £15 for each session thereafter. Each class lasts for three hours, and there’s usually a maximum of four or five participants involved. The price includes the cards, stamps, inks, sponges, stencils, tools and equipment. The instructor says: “You don’t need to bring anything except your enthusiasm!” Light refreshments are also included. The class is held at 4 Eynham Avenue, Bitterne, Southampton, SO19 5LB.
Bracelet making in Holybourne
Holybourne Beaders is a course run by Lynette Rees. Lynette is a member of The Beadworkers’ Guild, a registered charity whose members want to share their love of beading. The Guild believe that, “The process of beading has a rhythm to it which is calming, therapeutic and creative – the perfect recipe for your wellbeing!”
The Holybourne group was created to provide both beading lessons and a time for a chat. It’s therefore a wonderful way for your older loved one to make new friends while also learning a new craft. The course is held on the first Thursday of every month, from 10:00am to 3:30pm. It takes place at 83 London Road, Holybourne, GU34 4EL, just outside Alton. For more details, email [email protected] or call Lynette on 01420 84404.
Knit and Natter at Bordon Library (and Needlecraft at Waterlooville)
The ‘Knit and Natter’ group is one example of a library hosting an event where people are actually encouraged to talk to each other! The group is open to both new and experienced knitters of all ages – so it could be a good opportunity for your loved one to perhaps mingle with some younger folk as well as people of their own age.
The group is free and was formed to learn and to share new ideas, and takes place at Bordon Library on Tuesdays between 10:00am and 12:00 noon. If possible, your ageing adult should bring their own wool, needles and patterns. And if your ageing loved one lives further south in Hampshire, they might be interested in the Needlecraft club in Waterlooville, on Wednesdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Craft for Dementia at Waterlooville Library
If your ageing loved one or friend has dementia, there are still creative activities in which they can take part. At Home Instead East Hampshire and Midhurst, dementia care at home is one of the specialist services we provide. Amongst the examples of creative activities that our care professionals have found useful is Craft for Dementia with the Dementia Friendly Group.
This group is held at Waterlooville Library on the first Thursday of every month, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. It includes an art session with Creative Mojo, which is specifically tailored for people with dementia and their family carer. The cost is £3 per person, which includes the art materials and refreshments.
This has just been a glimpse into some of the many fun activities that take place across East Hampshire and beyond. We hope your older person is able to try out one or two of them – and that it might even rekindle their creative side.
At Home Instead East Hampshire and Midhurst, our home care services cover a wide range of needs, including home care, specialist care (e.g. cancer, dementia, mobility and arthritis) and live-in care. Give us a call to find out more.