Telford baking workshops help older residents reconnect with treasured memories
Baking sessions at two Lawley care and retirement communities have brought generations of memories flooding back, while helping residents make new connections
Older residents have been sharing memories, stories and a love of homemade treats through a series of baking workshops designed to bring people together.
The sessions were organised by Katie Wellington, from Heartleys by Katie in Shrewsbury, who approached Bournville Village Trust (BVT) about extending her cooking activities for children to older people in the Lawley community.
Katie, who also runs school holiday cooking sessions through her nursery and Katie’s Kids Kitchen, took her workshops to Telford Hall care home and Lawley Bank Court assisted living community.
Her approach is summed up in her words: "We're not teaching them to cook, we're helping them remember."
The first workshop took place at Telford Hall, where Katie joined activities coordinator Maria and residents to make scones.
The familiar sights, smells and textures of baking prompted conversation and reminiscence, with residents sharing stories about family life and cooking.
Pauline, aged 100, enjoyed chatting throughout the session as she helped mix the ingredients.
Once the scones were ready, residents gathered for afternoon tea in the home's activity room to enjoy their creations.
The activities continued in the afternoon at Lawley Bank Court, where residents also came together to bake and share their experiences.
Becky Meadows, retirement communities manager at Lawley Bank Court, said residents had given positive feedback, adding that they "really enjoyed it, they had a great time and would love to do more baking".
Lindsey Powell, BVT community development and partnerships officer, said the workshops showed how everyday activities could create opportunities for people to connect and share experiences.
"We were delighted to organise this for the local community to enjoy," she said.
The partnership has also helped highlight other opportunities for residents, including the Book Club at Lawley Bank Court, which is looking to expand its collection.
The group has since applied to BVT's Eileen Hewer Community Fund for a small grant to buy books and audiobooks for its residents' library.
The fund offers grants of up to £300 through its Small Grants scheme, as well as larger grants of up to £2,000 a year, to support community groups and projects benefiting people living in Lawley.
Local groups and residents with ideas for bringing people together can find out more about the fund and how to apply at bvtlawleyvillage.org.uk.
For information about community activities in Lawley, contact BVT at [email protected].