PFH is launching a series of online clubs and interactive activities to bring residents together and keep people socially active.
Activities are hoped to include book clubs, the chance to learn how to play the ukulele, sewing and knitting and even singing in a choir. Residents are being invited to suggest ideas for clubs
and activities and to express their interest in being involved.
The idea comes on the back of the success of PFH’s IT and Biscuits workshops, whereby residents worked with KCOM to learn how to access the internet and use their devices online.
All of the activities will be accessed from the safety of residents’ homes using online channels and video conferencing services such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Facebook. Residents who are unfamiliar with these forms of communication shouldn’t be put off, as members of the PFH team can offer guidance on how to use them.
One club in the pipeline is a choir to be led by conductor and choral trainer Stan Kell, who works with the Good Company Choir, Barton’s Southbank Singers, Sight Support Choir and the New International Chamber Ensemble (NICE).
Residents may also recall Stan from a pilot project with schools that took him into PFH schemes. Stan, who has decades of experience, will gather residents together for a range of potential singing activities.
He said: “I’ve been involved in choirs and musical theatre all of my life. While all of the community choirs I work with have missed singing together during lockdown, what they’ve missed more than anything else is the social side of singing, which is really important. Getting together in person is what everyone is missing right now and singing is a great way for people to gather, even online.
“I’m really interested in what residents think about a choir club and to find out about what they would want to try. We can see what works but whatever we do, it will all be refined depending on what people want. There are just so many things we could do.”
Tablets are available to trial for 3 months as part of PFH’s IT and Biscuits workshop and full support will be given, residents just need Wifi in their homes or a hotspot available from their
mobile phone.
Residents can express their interest in the online clubs and suggest ideas to Claire Champlin, PFH’s Independent Living Manager, via by calling the office on (01482) 223783, or fill in the form below.