Ensuring the elderly aren't thrown on the scrapheap

Concentrated Tea "Older people in care are often written off as incapable oflearning new skills or producing anything of worth. This projectaims to remedy the former problem and dispel the myth of thelatter." And over the last 13 years it has undoubtedly brought joy and asense of achievement into the lives of many elderly people. Its impact was such that an MBE was awarded last year to NellieThornton, a founder member of the group and its voluntarysecretary. Mrs Thornton, 75, who volunteers at Ilkley's Clarke Foley Centreand for the Ilkley Talking Newspaper, has no doubt of theimportance of the project's worth. She set it up with her friend Kathleen Wilson who was thenpresident of the local Soroptimists. Mrs Wilson is now one of theresidents at Abbeyfield where the project is based. Mrs Thornton who has worked with people in nursing homes since herdays in college, said her own mother and father had been in nursinghomes, and added: "My idea of nursing homes then was of people justsitting around doing nothing, and I thought if that was me I shouldgo mad." At the time the project was set up many nursing homes did not haveactivity organisers, and although that situation has changed nowMrs Thornton said they concentrated on groups rather than onindividuals. She stressed the importance of consulting with elderly people aboutwhat they wanted to do. A statement from the project says: "We work as enablers, making itpossible for people who have suffered strokes, have arthritis orvisual or memory problems to do the things they would like to do.We use specialist equipment and look at alternative ways ofworking. "In 1999, with a grant from Help the Aged, we were able to set upclasses in the office and bring those able to be transported in towork together. They were in a new environment, met people withsimilar interests and problems and learnt from each other as wellas having fun. "They are painting, making their own clothes and household items,embroidering beautiful pictures and pursuing a variety of othercrafts. We also run gentle exercise classes and cookery classes." Mrs Thornton stressed the importance of getting to know the elderlypeople they are working with and finding out what they want. "I think it makes a big difference because they tend to get to thestage where they feel they are of no use to anybody," she said."You just have to build their confidence up and make them realisethey can still do things and can still be useful. "You get people who have had strokes and realise they can't do whatthey used to - so that is it. But you help them realise that thereis more than one way of doing everything." And being helped to continue with old hobies or to try out new onescan make a real difference to the lives of elderly people who mayhave lost their confidence. Mrs Thornton cited the example of one woman who had loved doingembroidery until she had a stroke. She was helped out with aspecial embroidery frame and began the process of learning theskill again with her left hand. From there she went on to use asewing machine and then began creating beautiful homemade cards. Volunteers will go out to people's homes if necessary but MrsThornton believes in the importance of encouraging them to come outto the group if possible. "If you can get them out of their four walls and get them realisingthat there are people in the same position who are doing thingsthen it helps." She adds: "I think you also get the situation where in the pastthey haven't had time to do the things they have always wanted to -and now they have all the time in the world but not theopportunity. So it is just giving them that opportunity." And with people in their 80s, 90s, and even aged 100, joining in,it is obviously never too late to seize that opportunity. The classes, which include keep fit , sewing, art and cooking, givethe participants the chance to discover, or rediscover, skills. And elderly people, who can easily become isolated and lonely,often appreciate simply having someone to talk to. "They do enjoy it and they appreciate somebody else having time forthem," she said. "I know a lot of the families and have met them.You are very much a part of their lives." The project is also running a scheme where it is saving people'slife histories for future generations. "We have done quite a lot of these and they are fascinating," shesaid. "In one home I went to we had a lady who had piloted a plane, andshe was in her 90s - she must have been flying at the same time asAmy Johnson. "Next to her was a lady who when she was 11 would go to school upuntil dinner time and then went to work in the mill from dinnertime to tea-time. She lived in a cottage. There were four cottagestogether and they shared one toilet outside. "Again people enjoy the fact that they have someone coming alongand listening to them," she said. The memories are made up into books with photographs which can thembe passed on down through the family. The work of the project shows tangible results. The groups says: "Results show clients' health, mobility andcirculation improving, and a feeling of worth as skills arerecognised, used and valued. Dignity is maintained or even renewed,and co-ordination is improved. Valuable relationships are formed. "The scheme is run by a Management Committee which meets regularlythroughout the year. Volunteers meet together for in-servicetraining and socially to discuss any problems they may have.Clients are visited three times a year but know they can contact usat any time. Management also work as volunteers with the clients and are verymuch in touch. We are asked to give talks on our work and havegiven information to other groups interested in starting similarschemes. The project gives great satisfaction to both clients andvolunteers and is ongoing for as long as funding is available. "If you know of anyone who might benefit from joining us either asa participant or to use their skills as a volunteer please contactus on (01943) 886028 and leave a name and telephone number and wewill get back to you. (The office is only manned two days a week -Monday 11.00am to 4.00pm and Wednesday 10.00am to 3.00pm)." 10:04am today