I’ve been running craft classes in a set of residential care home classes since 2017. It started with 7 classes a month and currently I run 26 sessions over 16 days at 9 sites.
Some locations have one session a month whereas others have two so I plan 24 separate activities. There are some annual favourites, such as Christmas card making that take place every November, and a few new projects each year.
Whenever possible I try to make the activities seasonal and have projects that can be enjoyed at different levels. Some of the residents are exceptional artists whereas others were put off art at school and I have to overcome a lifetime of “I can’t do art” embedded in them. Luckily I also am not a natural artist and my efforts regularly make them laugh.
I stress the sessions are about enjoying the process, using our imaginations and having FUN. If we get something at the end of it, well that’s a bonus. In some cases the pieces are Grandma’s Revenge where they can pass them onto their grandchildren to put on their fridges.
In addition there are various levels of physical and comprehension ability and I aim that no-one is left out. Some residents simply like to sit in on the sessions and enjoy the camaraderie and if that’s all they want to do it’s absolutely fine by me. They are old enough to know what they want to do. I will however make sure there is always something available for them to take away with them if they want. No one leaves empty handed.
I provide the materials and suggest activities. It’s up to the residents what they do, my only rule is no throwing paint at one another 🙂
And finally, there’s always an alternative to the main project for those who wish to draw or colour in, no wonder my neighbours think I’m moving out when I head off to work with my craft trolley.
I used to write a post on here showing the items made by the residents but after 67 active months it was filling up my media and my tech fairy was stressing at the memory consumption. I now aim to post things each month on social media and you can find me as Ceefer Crafts in all the usual places. I’m aware that at least one other residential home follows me and hopefully I can inspire projects for them.
I’ll finish off with the planned activities for 2026 (and a promise to update again next year)
| January | Paper flowers |
| Friendship bracelet making | |
| February | Birthday cards |
| Colouring | |
| March | Sticker art |
| Easter crafts | |
| April | Windmils |
| Felt puppets | |
| May | Seaside mosaic |
| Decoupage | |
| June | Sun catchers |
| Bookmarks | |
| July | Paper fans |
| Sequin pictures | |
| August | Water marbling |
| Harvest baskets | |
| September | Hedgehog pompoms |
| Painting coasters | |
| October | Halloween craft |
| Chalk fireworks | |
| November | Christmas cards |
| Christmas wreath | |
| December | Christmas decorations 1 |
| Christmas decorations 2 |
