Do you have volunteers who can sew? Here is an activity you can do with clients and have a volunteer do the sewing.Crazy quilt patchwork cushion is easy and fun. Directions: Use a 47 cm square of calico as a base and the same size for the back in a matching material. Cut scraps of print material to assemble. spray the calico with hair spray and arrange and overlap to make the design. Clients will enjoy the arranging and the recycling concept. Then pin later and sew the raw edges in zigzag stitch. Join with the back on three sides stuff the cushion and sew the last side by hand.

Send me an email slkaldor@bigpond.net.au for a sample page of ideas from my books for some great ideas to try now. Also watch this space for new ideas all the time!

Reading for pleasure using large print books that are not juvenile have a place in the leisure program. Check out my 3 large print readers under books on this website.

One of the most successful activities I did recently with a group of teenage boys came for a visit to the hostel. I gave each boy a large 9 square grid and a pencil and paired each with a resident and they played naughts  and crosses on a one- on- one activity. The boys also sang their favorite songs as their teacher logged in on the phone for the words and the song and a good time was had by all!

I did a workshop for DTRA at the Brisbane workshop. We used  A4 paper, 4 marbles and  3 colours of  paint in a tin baking dish. We  rolled the marbles around making a great piece of design. However you could use the lid of a A4 paper box container as it fits A4 paper easily and its all recyclable. Achievable and great fun!!

Make everyday a sensory day especially for your clients in residential care

Many of your residents have barriers to leisure. Recreation staff can bring a little of nature and the outside world to their world. Their ability to appreciate positive sensory inputs may be limited so as part of a recreation program improve sensory experiences.

Smell and taste

• Have a coffee morning with the smell of coffee percolating, warm a precooked pie or cake in the microwave or make some popcorn.

• Start a herb garden. Pick herbs from the garden feel, touch and smell and discuss how you would use the herbs in cooking.

• Always have some fresh flowers in season to arrange and enjoy the scent. Bring in a seasonal exotic fruit to discuss and taste. Make a fruit platter together. (Consider peoples dietary concerns.)

Vision and touch

• Put out seeds or bread for the birds in a bird bath or on a nearby lawn.

• Take a nature walk in the grounds to check the seasonal plants and gather seeds and nuts and remove dead flower heads. Plant some seeds you have gathered- marigolds work well!

Vision and Sound

• Try using ambient DVD’s using a small portable player for one- on- one in your sensory room or in a quiet room. Check advertised suppliers of DVDs in this issue.

• Find appropriate and seasonal music for gentle exercise or yoga classes.

• Unless someone is listening or watching don’t let the radio or TV be on as this is just noise.

 Always watch out for calendars at the REJECT shops around the country. These are great for making non juvenile cheap and colourful matching activities. This is a resource from the flower calendar