Let's Club Together
Studies consistently show that there are many benefits of joining a club or society in old age. Not only does membership to such a group boost social interaction, levels of which researchers commonly correlate with mental and physical wellbeing, but it also provides a way in which to stay fit and healthy in older age. At Anchor care homes and retirement properties, we host a wide range of clubs for residents to exercise both their minds and bodies, as well as have fun and make new friends.
Having spoken with Anchor staff and residents, we have compiled a list, below, of our residents' favourite clubs and societies, which hopefully will offer inspiration to those considering taking up a new hobby:
Baking Club.
Whilst the success of programmes like the Great British Bake Off has contributed to the rising popularity of baking amongst the younger generation in recent years, cooking bread, cakes and biscuits is a hobby which has remained familiar to many of our residents since childhood and continues to offer an enjoyable and satisfying activity today. There is something innately social in baking, with the end product created with neighbours, friends or family in mind. We have been running a 'virtual cruise' project across all of our homes, where people 'visit' different countries around the world and base activity around this. At West Hall, our flagship care home in West Byfleet, we regularly host virtual 'cruises'. Staff and residents pick a country to 'visit,' with this nation then forming a theme for activities that week. When we dock the cruise ship in America, the baking club will always make age old favourite – chocolate brownies!
Art Club.
Our six week art courses are always popular with residents, both those learning new techniques for the first time and those who have been keen artists for decades. We regularly bring in an artist from the local community, who will design a programme covering a different skill each week. This offers residents the chance to learn a range of different techniques, from pottery to watercolour painting.
Gardening Club.
A significant adjustment for many residents who are downsizing from a family home to an Anchor community is the loss of a large garden to tend. In order to counteract this change, we ensure that residents are able to contribute to maintaining the communal gardens at our care homes and retirement villages, with apartments at brand new villages, Bishopstoke Park and Hampshire Lakes, further benefitting from private balconies or terraces from which residents can continue to grow plants and herbs. Our communal gardens are fitted with raised flower beds so that members of the gardening club with limited mobility are still able to take part. Growing lavender is a popular choice as the final product can then be incorporated into arts and crafts activities to make, for example, scented drawer bags.
Dance Club.
Dancing is a fun and sociable way to keep fit and maintain flexibility and ease of movement. Anchor communities host a range of dance clubs, catering for those wishing to polish their ballroom steps, to those hoping to learn a more modern style such as Zumba or line dancing.
Choir.
Singing groups are always popular way to meet people, especially with those who love to perform but might be lacking in confidence. Our choirs are a great opportunity for our residents to get involved with the local communities in which they live, as neighbours and loved ones are invited along to concerts. Our Christmas carol concerts always prove very popular and are a great way for singers to show off all their hard work.
Debbie Kirkbride MBE is a Service Delivery Consultant at Anchor, England's largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care to older people. Visit www.anchor.org.uk for more information.
Having spoken with Anchor staff and residents, we have compiled a list, below, of our residents' favourite clubs and societies, which hopefully will offer inspiration to those considering taking up a new hobby:
Baking Club.
Whilst the success of programmes like the Great British Bake Off has contributed to the rising popularity of baking amongst the younger generation in recent years, cooking bread, cakes and biscuits is a hobby which has remained familiar to many of our residents since childhood and continues to offer an enjoyable and satisfying activity today. There is something innately social in baking, with the end product created with neighbours, friends or family in mind. We have been running a 'virtual cruise' project across all of our homes, where people 'visit' different countries around the world and base activity around this. At West Hall, our flagship care home in West Byfleet, we regularly host virtual 'cruises'. Staff and residents pick a country to 'visit,' with this nation then forming a theme for activities that week. When we dock the cruise ship in America, the baking club will always make age old favourite – chocolate brownies!
Art Club.
Our six week art courses are always popular with residents, both those learning new techniques for the first time and those who have been keen artists for decades. We regularly bring in an artist from the local community, who will design a programme covering a different skill each week. This offers residents the chance to learn a range of different techniques, from pottery to watercolour painting.
Gardening Club.
A significant adjustment for many residents who are downsizing from a family home to an Anchor community is the loss of a large garden to tend. In order to counteract this change, we ensure that residents are able to contribute to maintaining the communal gardens at our care homes and retirement villages, with apartments at brand new villages, Bishopstoke Park and Hampshire Lakes, further benefitting from private balconies or terraces from which residents can continue to grow plants and herbs. Our communal gardens are fitted with raised flower beds so that members of the gardening club with limited mobility are still able to take part. Growing lavender is a popular choice as the final product can then be incorporated into arts and crafts activities to make, for example, scented drawer bags.
Dance Club.
Dancing is a fun and sociable way to keep fit and maintain flexibility and ease of movement. Anchor communities host a range of dance clubs, catering for those wishing to polish their ballroom steps, to those hoping to learn a more modern style such as Zumba or line dancing.
Choir.
Singing groups are always popular way to meet people, especially with those who love to perform but might be lacking in confidence. Our choirs are a great opportunity for our residents to get involved with the local communities in which they live, as neighbours and loved ones are invited along to concerts. Our Christmas carol concerts always prove very popular and are a great way for singers to show off all their hard work.
Debbie Kirkbride MBE is a Service Delivery Consultant at Anchor, England's largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care to older people. Visit www.anchor.org.uk for more information.