Residents of Leicester aged 55 and over recently came together in Wigston for a festive and free Christmas crafts session designed to boost creativity and wellbeing.
A Social Gathering for Creative Wellbeing
The event brought together people from across the city for a crafting session specifically designed to encourage active creativity and wellbeing in a supportive and social environment. This free activity forms part of First Time for Everything, a community health and well-being programme created by the Royal Voluntary Service.
Guided by Mary Cufflin, the Leicester activity coordinator, participants enjoyed crafting their own personalised Christmas cards. Following the creative session, everyone mingled and socialised over light refreshments, fostering new connections and combating social isolation.
Proven Impact on Happiness and Community
The First Time for Everything programme, which launched in 2017, is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. It provides free opportunities for people, particularly older or less mobile individuals, to try new activities, socialise, and stay active.
To date, with the help of Royal Voluntary Service volunteers, more than 1,000 events have taken place across Great Britain, attracting over 15,200 participants. These have included diverse activities like hot yoga, group singing, open water swimming, and chocolate making.
The programme's success is clear: a recent participant survey revealed that 97% of respondents felt happier after attending an event, and 93% felt more connected to their local community.
Looking Ahead and Joining In
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, emphasised the importance of such initiatives, stating they help people feel part of their community regardless of age or ability.
One delighted participant, Sue from Wigston, said, “What a lovely morning. Thank you for coming and doing crafts with us. I wish we could do it every week!”
The next scheduled event is an African Yoga session on Friday, December 5. Booking is essential as places are limited. To register or for more information, contact Royal Voluntary Service activity coordinator Mary Cufflin on tel: 07771641113 or email: mary.cufflin@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.
For those unable to attend in-person events, the Royal Voluntary Service also runs the Virtual Village Hall, a free online hub offering live activity sessions every weekday on Facebook and YouTube, with an archive of over 3,000 sessions.
