Seniors get crafty this Christmas

20 Dec 2022

Why are these Santa stones so special? Claus we said so! And because they brought some joy to the lives of others. With the help of festive Resene colours, these sociable seniors let their creative sparks fly with some fun Christmas crafts.

Presbyterian Support Service, Enliven, run the Linwood Harakeke Club, aims to support the independence, social inclusion, health and well-being of valued kaumātua/older people through their day programme.

Recently, they held a Santa Stone painting activity, where the club’s clients could get busy and creative painting some special stones for themselves or loved ones. They used Resene Dawn Chorus , Resene Bullseye, Resene White and Resene Black.

“It was great to spend some one on one time with these elderly people and to see them complete something different from their usual activities,” says Kate, a volunteer at the Harakeke Club. “They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience and were delighted that they could take their stones home with them.”

Harakeke Club provides day activity programmes for people diagnosed with cognitive impairment and dementia, encouraging them to keep safe and stay social. Housed in their purpose-built dementia facilities, their programmes offer interesting, age and ability appropriate activities in a safe, inviting environment.

The club’s aim is to help their clients remain socially active and engaged while their carers take some time out. They put special emphasis on enhancing dignity and wellbeing, providing a safe, relaxed, welcoming environment, meals, activities and professionally qualified staff for ongoing support.

Enliven ensures that older New Zealanders have the access they need to community-based support - from someone to talk to and activities to join or help with, while ensuring a safe, healthy independence at home. An amazing 95% of members say their quality of life has been enhanced by Enliven services.

“We believe that everyone has the right to age with dignity and to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible,” say the Enliven team.

Published: 20 Dec 2022