All posts in Volunteers

KNITTING CAN IMPROVE YOUR MOOD, MIND AND BODY

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/01/27/4-unforeseen-health-benefits-of-knitting/

Now, to step that up a notch. Have you considered forming a knitting group? The art of knitting provides a common bond in so many people. If you have never knit before, it is easy to learn and projects can be worked on easily while socializing in a group.

Then, step it up another notch and add a purpose, ie knitting for charity, and meetings take on a whole new energy.

http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Hats/Knitting-for-Charity-20-free-hat-patterns

Knitting provides many-layered benefits:

• It gives you a sense of pride
• Has the same benefits as meditation
• Alleviates symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression
• It helps improve motor function
• It slows cognitive decline
• It helps prevent arthritis and tendinitis

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/dont-stop-knitting-its-keeping-you-healthy.html

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/health-therapeutic

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/open-gently/201311/should-you-knit

Socializing in a like-minded group:

• Connects people with a common interest
• Creates a networking thread of connection outside meetings
• Alleviates anxiety, stress and depression
• Improves cognitive functions and skills
• Abates loneliness and isolation

Add to this, knitting for charity.

That can be called a WIN – WIN – WIN.

There are many local agencies who endlessly require and are supremely grateful for knit items for the homeless, refugees and poverty stricken people. Siloam Mission is one such place. https://www.siloam.ca/. Another idea is blankets for preemies in neo-natal units.

Knit 1, Purl 2

BE MINDFUL OF SENIORS AT THIS BUSY TIME

With the Holiday Season upon us, we are in a mad dash making sure all details are taken care of.  In this bustle, sometimes older people are left out of plans or are not visited much. It is important to try to include the senior members of your family or social demographic in your plans. Seasonal loneliness is a very real thing.

This link provides some suggestions for inclusion:

http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2016-12-22/help-someone-who-is-lonely-this-christmas/

A & O: Support Services for Older Adults

Often, when seniors retire, they have no wish to quit working or become inactive. More than this, there is a wish to carry on but do something different. In retirement, it is also increasingly difficult to source programs and areas for volunteer work appropriate for your demographic.

Age & Opportunity Support Services for Older Adults is a not-for-profit organization that provides specialized services for older Manitobans across the province.

The goal of these programs is to empower and support older adults in the community.

Click on this link to see what they are all about:

http://www.ageopportunity.mb.ca/main/index.htm