What is scrapbooking?

The dictionary defines a scrapbook as:

"a blank book in which miscellaneous items (as newspaper clippings or pictures) are collected and preserved."

I used to think of scrapbook making as something I did as a kid on bright sugar paper which you stuck old ticket stubs and news paper clippings to with pva glue.  This was until my very creative friend handed me a gorgeous scrapbook album she had made for me after my son was born! 

My eyes where opened to a whole new world of creative craft where I could lose myself for hours and it was a unique way to document my life and also my son's progress and display some of my favourite family photographs.

This style of scrapbook making originated in the United States, which is why we refer to it as American Style Scrapbooking.  Modern day scrapbooking retains some of the original elements, such as preserving precious memories, but focuses on the important elements of safety and longevity, journaling, and creative expression.

When I say safety I refer to to all the things that overtime can ruin your photo's or ticket stubs such as sugar paper, tape and pva glue. All of which can make your photo's yellow, fade, and deteriorate over time.  When scrapbooking it is important to use acid free products, which are widely available both on the high street and online from Hobby Craft, The Works, QVC and many other craft supply stores.

Journaling means documenting important information alongside your photos so in the years to come your children will be able to answer their children’s questions like 'where was this photograph taken?', 'how old were you I'm this picture?' or even 'who is in this picture?'.  Sometimes it can really give your scrapbook meaning to attach your thoughts and feelings about what is happening in the picture. Here is an example of journaling:

Creative expression is one of the most important elements of modern day scrapbooking and may be the most fun aspect of the whole process.  It can take you back in time to reminisce over your photo's and transport you back to your 'blue-peter' day's as a kid when you had more glitter, glue and sticky back plastic on you than on your project!   I must admit that adding all embellishments and decorative elements to each page is my favourite part and I am a terrible hoarder of anything that glitters!  

Scrapbooking can be done by people of all ages and ability can be as simple or as extravagant as you want them to be.  My son enjoys creating his own pages about things that are important to him as you can see from this from this page he created, with a little help from mum, when he was 5.

During our Treasured Memories project we are hoping that through teaching delegates all the different elements of mordern day scrapbooking, giving them some new life skills and a chance to share stories and life experiences with others they will become more confident and start the process of creating a  treasured and precious family heirloom, with a personal family history like no other.

We would like to invite older residents in the borough to take part in our first group who will be meeting at Eastbury Manor House, Barking every Wednesday from 2-5pm from the 26th of March 2013.

Each week we will ask attendee's to bring in a photograph on a particular theme to reminisce over, teach them how to create a simple scrapbook page to display their photograph on, give them the tools to help improve confidence and self-awareness. 

If you would like to take part in this project or know somebody in your community that would benefit from taking part please get in touch!!  To find out more about the health and therapeutic benefits of reminiscence click here and craft activities click here.

TO BOOK A FREE PLACE PLEASE CONTACT US IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

CHRIS – 020 8590 7844 OR 07947724977
LUCY – 07841640116
EMAIL – TM@positivechangeconsultancy.com

For Volunteer opportunities please click here.

Treasured Memories Project

PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Hussey

We had some fantastic news just before Christmas to say we had been successful in securing funding from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's Innovation Fund for our Treasured Memories Project. We have been beavering away getting things set up and recruiting volunteers and finally this week we secured our venue and dates for our first group!

The aim of the Treasured Memories Project is to create a social group for isolated older people in the borough where they can come together, socialise, share life experiences and learn some new skills. We hope to achieve this through giving people simple life skills to improve their self-confidence, a place to meet new people and make friends, a chance to look back and celebrate on their past achievements, help them set new goals and look forward to the future and learn the art of American style scrapbooking.

We would like to invite older residents in the borough to take part in our first group who will be meeting at Eastbury Manor House, Barking every Wednesday from 2-5pm from the 26th of March 2014.

Each week we will ask attendee's to bring in a photograph on a particular theme to reminisce over, teach them how to create a simple scrapbook page to display their photograph on, give them the tools to help improve confidence and self-awareness.

The dates, themes and aims of each session are as follows:

Session 1: 26th March @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Getting To Know You
Attendees should bring a photograph of themselves either as a baby/child or how they look now. If attendees are unable to find a photograph of this nature we can take a photograph or find a picture of something that reminds them of their child hood.

Aims:
· To create a welcoming and supportive environment
· To help the group to get to know everyone and make new friends
· To introduce the art of American Style Scrapbooking
· To introduce a process for self-reflection which will be revisited weekly called the ‘wheel of life’

Session 2: 2nd April @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Friendship
Attendees should bring a photograph of their best friend or them with a group of friends. If attendees are unable to find a photograph of this nature we can find a picture that reminds them of their best friend or something they like/liked doing with their friends
Aims:
· To learn how we can improve communication with others
· To see how we can strengthen the relationships/friendships we already have through better communication
· To find out what can stop us from keeping in touch with our old friends and how we can re-connect with them

Session 3: 9th April @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Travel
Attendees should bring a photograph of themselves on holiday or their favourite holiday destination or dream holiday destination. If attendees are unable to find a photograph of this nature we can find a picture of their favourite holiday resort/destination or their dream holiday destination.
Aims
· To look at the barriers that can stop us from doing the things we want, like going on holiday
· To look at ways to overcome these barriers

Session 4: 16th April @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Family Values
Attendees should bring a photograph of a memorable family celebration such as Christmas or a wedding.  If attendees are unable to find a photograph of this nature we can find a picture to represent their favourite family celebration or tradition in their family.
Aims
· Look at the ups and downs in life and what it teaches us and how it shapes our values
· Discuss different family values and traditions
· Learn what feelings are associated with being comfortable and how we can stretch ourselves

Session 5: 23rd April @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Hobbies and Interests
Attendees should bring a photograph of themselves taking part in a past or present hobby/interest. If attendees are unable to find a photograph of this nature we can find a picture to represent a past hobby/interest or something they enjoy doing in their spare time.
Aims
· To explore our strengths and weaknesses and how we can play to our strengths and overcome our weaknesses

Session 6: 30th April @ Eastbury Manor House 2-4pm
Theme: Plan, Do and Review
Aims
· Plan: A show and tell celebration event to invite friends and family to see finished scrapbooks
· Do: Finish any outstanding scrapbook pages
· Review: What we have learnt and how we are feeling

Session 7: To be held on date and at the venue of Groups choice
Theme: Group Celebration
Aims:
· TO HAVE FUN, SMILE AND BE WITH NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS AND FAMILY

All materials, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. 

PLEASE NOTE PLACES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE .

If you would like to take part in this project or know somebody in your community that would benefit from taking part please get in touch!!  To find out more about the health and therapeutic benefits of reminiscence click here and craft activities click here.  We will be blogging and explaining what American style scrapbooking is next week so watch this space for a link!

TO BOOK A FREE PLACE PLEASE CONTACT US IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

CHRIS – 020 8590 7844 OR 07947724977
LUCY – 07841640116
EMAIL – TM@positivechangeconsultancy.com

For Volunteer opportunities please click here.

Get crafty and stay healthy!

As part of our Treasured Memories Project we are using Reminiscence and Crafting, through American Style Scrap-booking, to create a social group for isolated older residents in Barking and Dagenham to come together, socialise, share life experiences and learn new skills.

The projects initial stage is to give attendees renewed self-confidence, a platform to meet new people and re-connect with the community in a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Reminiscing and Arts and Crafts activities have surprising health benefits, which is one of the reasons we decided to use both mediums in the project.  I have already blogged about the therapeutic benefits associated with Reminiscence and thought it was only fair to also share the benefits of doing Arts and Crafts activities!!

Many people find that taking part in arts and crafts activities is both rewarding and relaxing, it not only exercises physical skills but also reduces stress and enhances well being and self esteem.  It provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that triggers positive feelings and promotes a can-do attitude toward other situations. A study carried out by researchers at the University of Glasgow in 2011 concluded that arts and crafts aid emotional well-being to an extent that more active pursuits such as sports cannot, especially amongst older people. 

In addition to a fun and creative leisure experience, there are many therapeutic benefits of crafts such as:

• Increased cognitive functioning

• Increased self expression and decision making skills

• Increased or maintenance of fine motor skills

• Improved Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills

• Enhanced hand-eye coordination

• Increased self esteem and emotional well-being

• Increased opportunity for empowerment and self expression

• Increased socialisation

Here are a few hints and tips to help you tap into the healing power of arts and crafts:

1) Find an art or craft you love! Passion for your Art or Craft keeps you interested

2) Make time for your art or craft. Try to dedicate at least an hour a week to your art or craft, don't think of this time as a self-indulgence, but a medical necessity. It is important for everybody to have some me time.

3) Create a space of your own. Set up a dedicated craft space in your home rather than occasionally commandeering the dining-room table. By doing so, you can craft whenever you have a few moments to spare. Put your craft supplies in a basket or in the car, or take over part of a room or office. Just try to find a space that is yours alone.

4) Take a class to advance your skills. An added bonus: You’ll have a chance to socialise and meet like minded people. 

5) Find flow. crafts can be ‘all-absorbing’ and help people to attain a state that psychologists call ‘flow’ in which all worries are discarded and the hours fly by. The main benefits of arts and crafts is that those doing them have complete control over the difficulty level of the tasks that they choose to take on. Research has demonstrated that the goals that people set themselves tend to be the most satisfying for them to achieve, meaning that creating something that you are proud of can improve your levels of mental well-being.

6) Enjoy it. You don't have to be a perfectionist.  You want your craft to challenge you, but you don't want it to drive you crazy. Enjoy the process and give yourself permission to be imperfect or you may end up negating the health-promoting benefits of crafting.

To find out how you can take part in our first Treasured Memories reminiscence and scrapbook group being held at Eastbury Manor House for seven weeks from the 26th of March (2-4pm) please contact us:

Chris Laney - 07947724977

Lucy Andrew - 07861640116
Or email: info@positivechangeconsultancy.com

For Volunteer Opportunities please click here!

Why should we reminisce?

Photographer Tom Hussey

Reminiscence is a free-flowing process of thinking or talking about our experiences in order to reflect on and recapture significant events in our lifetime. Each one of us is part of a rich history that needs to be shared and preserved. The stories we tell about our lives are also important sources of self-identity and enable us to explore and relate our past to the present.

Studies have shown that Reminiscence as a therapy can:

• Improve communication 
• Improve well being 
• Improve self-care 
• Improve mood 
• Provide an enjoyable social activity 
• Improve intellectual functioning (in some cases) 

Research has also shown that older people with symptoms of depresion who participate in reminiscence report better self-esteem and are more positive about their social relations. They also tend to have a more favorable view of the past and are more optimistic about the future. Reminiscence can also help us to establish realistic goals and come to terms with life's disappointments and limits, while taking pleasure and pride in recalling our accomplishments.

Through remembering the past can we can bring a new awareness to the present. Memories can be explored in many creative ways that place value on a person’s unique life experience. Triggers are often used to evoke a memory and the best triggers are those that stimulate our five senses: taste (grandmother’s recipes), smell (aroma of fresh baked bread), touch (textures), sound (music) and sight (photographs).

Reminiscence themes and activities can provide opportunities for social interaction around shared experiences. Examples of themes may include: the childhood home and family, school days, games/activities, courtship and marriage, jobs, war years, holiday celebrations and festivals.

Creative memory-making brings memories back to life and can be achieved in a number of ways. Some of the most effective ideas are:

• photo albums/collages, scrapbooks 
• art forms (drawing, painting or using clay can be a replacement for words) 
• historical items and significant objects (toys, antiques, or clothing) 
• drama (acting out short scenes that invite the role playing of past experiences) 
• vocal and instrumental music (can lead to memory recall) 
• life story work (recorded oral histories about childhood and early life or autobiographies) 
• memory boxes (a three-dimensional box that displays personal items to signify one’s life and highlight memories) 

All of these creations can generate conversations, valuable recollections and outcomes for the family and the generations that follow.

As you can see there are many benefits to reminiscence and this why it is an integral part of the Treasured Memories Project to create a social group for isolated older residents in Barking and Dagenham to come together, socialise, share life experiences and learn new skills.

The projects initial stage is to give attendees renewed self-confidence, a platform to meet new people and re-connect with the community in a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

The focus of the project will be around each attendee creating their own American style scrapbook about their life which they will contribute to each week through six themed workshops alongside life skills to help increase their confidence.

Through the themes of each workshop we hope to provoke memories from the past as a discussion point to build rapport within the group and identify shared values and interests and to create a self-sustaining social group to continue to meet and grow with the help of volunteers.

For more information on the project or to volunteer please contact us:

Chris Laney - 07947724977

Lucy Andrew - 07861640116
Or email: info@positivechangeconsultancy.com