Senior Friendly Craft Activities Around Monmouthshire | Home Instead
Keep seniors active, creative, and engaged with fun craft workshops and classes across Monmouthshire that will help older people with memory, coordination, and socialisation.
Bridges Centre - Monmouth
Bridges Centre at Drybridge House is an independent Monmouth-based charity, established in 1984. Their goal is to enhance the well-being of the local community.
Drybridge House, an important part of Monmouth’s heritage and was first built in 1558 and has evolved. The house has been passed down through generations of prominent people in Monmouth’s history until 1947 when it was bought by Monmouthshire County Council.
There is free parking on-site and is accessible to visitors using wheelchairs contact the Bridges centre for more information by calling: 01600 228660 or email: [email protected].
There is a full range of clubs and activities available at the Bridges Centre for older people, including people with congestive impairments and varied care needs. Prices per club may vary based on the event organiser.
Monmouth Social Circles (for Seniors) Tuesday 10:00 – 14:30
Older people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness which can have dangerous effects on both mental and physical health leading to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, poor immunity, anxiety, and depression. On the other hand, older people that engage in meaningful, socially productive activities tend to live longer and more fulfilled lives with improved cognitive function.
The Social Circle for seniors runs every week and welcomes older people from across Monmouthshire to attend, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people from the local area!
Dance time 4 all (tea dance) Thursdays 13:45—15:15
The ‘Tea dance’ grew out of the traditional afternoon tea and dates all the back to the 18th century, the festivities were filled with music and dancing. They became quite a sensation across all of Britain & lasted until well after World War 2, only gradually disappearing. During the second world war, these dances were still very popular and were organised mainly by churches & the British Red Cross, as a way to boost servicemen’s morale, as well as give them some civilised company & light entertainment between battle campaigns.
Len Goodman, of the Strictly Come Dancing panel, thinks dance is the perfect way to blend exercise with enjoyment and says, ‘If you’re married it’s something you can share with your other half, and if you’re single it gives you an opportunity to meet other people, we’re all living longer, so we have all got to be more active in the third age.’
Getting older doesn’t have to be lonely, this is a great opportunity for your older relative to find companionship and polish off some old skills, or even learn something new, they can come alone or with a partner todance the afternoon away.
Abergavenny Community Centre
http://abergavennycc.org/The community centre is a Victorian infant school building based in the centre of Abergavenny that is accessible by public transport. It is ‘a safe place where goodwill is grown: where exchanges of time, energy, talents, skills, goods and expertise are gathered and shared, instead of withering with time’. They offer a number of activities for older people including people with dementia.
Friday Night Knitting Club 17:00 – 18:30
The Friday night knitting club is a great way for the elderly to mix with like-minded people over a shared interest. Your older relative might be a keen knitter or a novice, all are welcome to come and share their knowledge and skills in a safe environment. Research shows that Knitting can improve memory function by creating new neutral pathways in the brain, this can also be helpful in preventing mild cognitive problems. Another benefit of knitting is that the movements can build cartilage in the joints & fingers that wards arthritis off.
If you are unable to knit, or don’t fancy it you can take your own crafts along, it’s the participating & socialising that counts! Everyone can expect a warm and encouraging atmosphere even if they’ve never attempted knitting. Knitting is often seen as a lonely hobby but it really doesn’t have to be, it’s a great way to find companionship as we all something can keep you busy independently. There is no fee but a recommended donation of £1.50.
Chair Movement class with Sarah Jones Thursdays 13:30 – 14:30
When we think about the benefits of exercise we often think about the strenuous activity that needs to be carried out to achieve them. Seated exercise is a really effective and safe way to get moving and reap those benefits while reducing the risk of injury or discomfort. Here are the benefits of ‘chair movements’
Strength – As we get older we lose muscle mass over time, which can lead to reduced mobility and a higher risk of injury, chair movements isolate the muscles in your upper and lower body to increase strength, improve posture and even relieve back pain.
Flexibility & balance – Chair movements will help stretch your muscles to achieve an increased range of motion and increase your stability, as risk of falls increase with age its important to improve stability.
Heart Health- there are strong links between regular movement and cardiovascular health, chair movements can get your blood pumping, strengthening your heart, this means your body will be better at moving blood & oxygen around your body.
Blood Circulation- It’s common that as we age the circulatory system to starts to wear down because of the strain on the arteries and veins, usually seniors aren’t as active as younger age groups, which means blood isn’t flowing as easily. Poor circulation can cause numbness & tingling in your hands and feet, digestive problems & even attribute to fatigue. Getting the arms & legs moving will get your blood flowing and increase your circulation!
Energy boost – adding chair movements into your everyday will help get your blood flowing which will increase your oxygen & energy levels! Studies show that people who move more regularly feel less fatigue than those who don’t.
Memory and thinking – as we know, exercise increases your blood supply, encouraging the growth of new blood vessels and cells in the brain this is said to improve your memory.
Mental health – endorphins are the ‘feel good’ chemicals that our brain releases when we exercise, regular movement means our brain release endorphins more frequently, positively impacting our stress levels, low moods & promoting healthy sleep patterns
