Elderly boost hand-to-eye coordination with flower arranging

FLOWER arranging is boosting elderly care home residents’ hand-to-eye coordination and keeping their minds active with creative activities.

Residents at Pelton Grange Care Home, on Front Street, Pelton, have been creating floral centerpieces at a class at Pelton Community Centre.

The session was run by the Hawthorne Project, a social group to support elderly members of the community, aiming to tackle social isolation.

Four residents from the care home were given a demonstration before choosing their own flowers, bases and wrapping them in fabrics and bows.

Ann Capon, one of those who lives at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before.

“At home I used to just stick the flowers in a vase.  But this class taught me how to make a proper flower arrangement.”

Fellow resident Ann Scott added: “It was so nice.”

Lindsey Sale-Thorn, activities coordinator at Pelton Grange Care Home, said: “We all learned a lot. It was very relaxing and we were proud of our creations.

“The residents have put their finished arrangements in their rooms and I’ve set mine up in the reception area at the home.

“The activity has helped boost residents’ hand eye coordination as well as stimulate their creativity. Hopefully we will be doing more in future with the Hawthorne Project.”

The Hawthorne Project is funded by Durham County Council through the Older People’s Social Isolation Fund, part of Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership.

Sessions with varying activities take place every Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to 11am, at the Pelton Community Centre, Front Street, Pelton. All are welcome.