5 Activities for Seniors in Salford
From turning your hand to painting to taking a shot at archery, we have been busy researching groups and hobbies for seniors in Salford. Check them out below!
From reducing depression and anxiety to keeping fit and making friends, getting involved in stimulating activities helps to improve the health and happiness of our older generation. It is crucial to maintain the functions of the mind and to enhance them through pastimes that require physical or mental engagement. We have chosen five groups and activities across the Salford area which you can see below in our blog post.
For more groups, activities and sessions, take a look at the Salford U3A website.
Paint and Sketch - Walkden
Run by Susan Jones, Paint and Sketch is a bi-monthly event, located in Walkden. On alternate Mondays, people of all ages are welcome to meet the group at Ellesmere Community Centre (from 1pm until 3pm) for a couple of artistic hours amongst likeminded people. Most attendees are amateurs, so there is no pressure to be able to paint! Simply bring your choice of equipment, from paints and pencils to pastels and crayons, and a small fee of £3 which is used to cover room hire. Susan also asks that everyone brings their own reference, whether that is a photograph, a book, or a magazine, it’s up to you! These extracts will act as prompts to inspire your work, as well as being able to exchange ideas with other individuals in the session.
Paint and Sketch is not just about getting out the house, art is proven to improve cognitive function and memory and reduce anxiety. Research by The National Institutes of Health has shown music, theatre, dance, creative writing and other variations of art, such as painting, are proven to improve our older generations’ quality of life and well-being. Painting is a therapeutic hobby that requires concentration and the use of your imagination. The pursuit of an artistic hobby allows you to get lost in the moment, take your mind off everyday life and boost your mental health.
If Paint and Sketch sounds right up your street, you can contact Susan Jones here.
Zumba Gold - Boothstown & Salford
If yourself or a loved one would prefer a more active approach to keeping busy and preventing boredom, Zumba Gold, held at Boothstown Community Centre and Clarendon Leisure Centre, is the ideal session to sign up to. The weekly event is held every Monday between 2 and 3pm and is aimed at our older generation; Zumba is known for being a fun fitness regime, but it is also known for being relatively hard work, which is why Zumba Gold was born. Zumba Gold was created with elderly people in mind, where there are no expectations and no fitness requirements. The class is set at a slower space and a shorter duration, whilst still aiming to strengthen muscles, burn calories and improve flexibility, balance and coordination. Stay active with your new friends and have a boogie!
You can contact Boothstown Community Centre or Clarendon Leisure Centre here to book your session.
Kurling - Wardley Community Centre
Kurling is a form of the original sport, curling, but adapted so that it can be played indoors on a smooth, flat surface (such as a sports hall) rather than on ice! Wardley Community Centre, located in Swinton, offers kurling on Friday afternoons from 1pm until 3pm where all ages are welcome. The sport requires little movement and physical strain, making kurling the perfect afternoon activity for seniors. Despite the minimum effort required, kurling will still keep you active, social and a little light-hearted competition is good for the soul! The hall in which the session is situated is accessible to wheelchairs, has disabled toilet access and an onsite car park too, making your visit a stress-free breeze. The community centre has plenty of other activities on offer too, so if kurling doesn’t take your fancy, something else will!
For more information and to see Wardley Community Centre’s timetable, head to their website.
Gardening Group - Swinton
From Gardening Group to Knit and Natter, the Critchley Community Hub, located on Chorley Road in Swinton, always have a fun-filled day on offer to the public. The award-winning hub is a credit to the community with their endless activities, welcoming team and even an on-site café serving up home-cooked lunches and baked goods for those with a sweet tooth! Whether you’re keen to learn a new skill, hoping to make a friend or two, or you’d simply like to pop in for lunch, the staff are on hand to help, with a friendly, open-door policy to all ages and abilities.
Gardening Group is run weekly from 10am until 12pm every Thursday. The group is open to all capabilities, so whether you’re a plant-potting beginner or you’re naturally green-fingered, learn to grow your own fruit and veg amongst likeminded people with a love for horticultural activities. In the summer months, the group create hanging baskets and vegetables for the chef to use in the café.
See the other sessions on offer and the contact details for Critchley Community Hub here.
Archery Club - Eccles
Founded in 1953, Eccles Archery Club is a reputable club, affiliated with the Lancashire Archery Association. The clubhouse is wheelchair friendly with disabled toilet access and a range of courses to suit all ages and abilities. The club offer beginner courses and taster sessions, with the option of an indoor range for those cold and rainy days or for those just starting out. If you pick up the sport like a natural, Eccles Archery Club even offer memberships which allows you access to the range 24 hours a day with your own key. To benefit from this privilege, you must have successfully completed a beginners course run by the club, so it does depend how good you are! The easier option of a taster session at the club is perfect for seniors for a fun trip out and the chance to try something for the first time.
If you fancy giving archery a shot, you can contact the club here.
