Age UK activity pack

10 page Activity pack for November 2020 sent by Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent, on the theme of culture, containing a letter dated October 2020, craft activity to make mancala game, dancing activities, Black History Month word search, spot the difference, information on Seasonal Effect Disorder (SAD), blank sheet to add to the Members Message Board, keeping active outside, information on Black Lives Matter and Diwali, colouring in sheet to celebrate Diwali, Halloween themed wordsearch, information on Guru Nanak’s birthday and Guy Fawkes, NHS ‘Hands face Space poster, leaflet on Age UK’s help at Home service, and addressed envelope to AGE UK HHM Townfeld, with brown postal envelope, compiled by Social Wellbeing team, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020

Beginning in summer 2020, the Social Wellbeing Team at Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent announced the start of their support package through monthly activity packs.

The letter announced that there was little chance that COVID-19 restrictions would change so that a renewed focus on wellbeing was needed. The fifth pack had the theme of culture reflecting on annual celebrations including Black History Month but also global events including Black Lives Matter. The letter encouraged people to keep using PACE – physical exercise, activity, connectivity and entertainment) to reduce the impact of social isolation. A creative writing competition about the pandemic was opened with best entries to be published in January 2021. The letter reiterated the K Government’s hands, face space, messaging and asked people to “stay bright and safe.”

Each pack had a theme and related puzzles, recipes, information sheets, colouring in and ways to communicate with messages boards by post. Realising that many of their local community might struggle with or not have access to digital communication, packs were posted and offers of help with WhatsApp and Zoom were offered.