This informative, sensory activity gives participants space to chat and to share their reactions and experiences whilst tasting chocolate. It is also a fun way to learn more about the history of chocolate.
Credit:
“Food in Georgian times”, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums. Developed in partnership with Age UK North Tyneside, ‘Time Travellers’ Dementia Group.
In this one-to-one activity participants create a story or poem that they can keep and share with family and friends. It is designed to be relaxed, supportive and flexible to meet the needs and feelings of everybody who takes part.
Credit:
Nicola Abraham and Victoria Ruddock / Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Developed in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare Trust, Dementia Care Team.
This activity has been successfully used at the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Elders Coffee Mornings on Zoom. It is a fun and engaging way to start conversations and get people involved.
Credit:
Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Company / Graham and Tony.
This is a creative crafts activity that produces a great effect when displayed on a window. The result may look messy close up but once displayed on the window it looks fantastic.
Credit:
West Eaton Nursing Home / Clare Lockley.
This is a fun, dementia-friendly exercise which can help you get to know a person’s interests and passions. It can also work well as an intergenerational activity.
Credit:
Sue Holmes, Independent Activity Coordinator
The activity works well in person and also with small groups of around four people online. It brings the stories to life and is a stimulating, creative activity.
Credit:
Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Company / Catherine and Gill.
An activity best done one-to-one or in small groups. It requires clear and concise step-by-step instructions to get it right, but it is very achievable. The finished basket is an attractive object to be proud of!
Credit:
The Whitworth Age Friendly Programme.
Photo poems were first devised by poet Paul Eluard and photographer Man Ray. The technique is a simple blending of poetic words or phrases with an arresting, evocative photograph to create an entirely new work of art: a photo poem.
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Independent Arts. Developed in partnership with Hazel Lodge, Northbrooke House Care Home.
This is a simple game which works best with small groups. It’s best to have one or two people on each team and a further person to act as adjudicator!
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Dr Richard Talbot and Dr Clare Dormann / University of Salford. Developed in partnership with Aspire Adult Social Care and Humphrey Booth Resource Centre/Poppy Day Care Centre, Swinton.
These simple dance activities work well together but are equally effective if they are tried on their own. They are a great way to get a group stretching and moving and a lovely way to support a group to have some fun together. They work well seated, but some groups may like to try some of them standing up.
Credit:
Akademi.
This gentle dance offers simple movements set to lyrics to wake up the body, mobilise the joints and stimulate the senses.
Credit:
Yorkshire Dance / Rachel Clarke & Izzy Brittain. Developed in partnership with OPAL, Welcome In Community Centre, Leeds.
Acrostics are a simple form of poem where the first letter of each word spells out a word or phrase related to the poem. Here the word is COMMUNITY, but once you are familiar with the technique it is a great foundation for writing poems on any theme.
Credit:
Small Things Creative Projects. Developed in partnership with The Jinnah Centre as part of Bury Culture Champions.
