This past Tuesday, we had a fantastic time at Age Connects Café on Holton Road, Barry, where we hosted a Halloween-themed craft group that was filled with creativity, storytelling, and lots of laughs. The theme of the day? The spooky Welsh folklore of Y Hwch Ddu Gwta a’r Fenyw Benless (the Black Sow and the Headless Woman).
We kicked off by reading the eerie tale of the Black Sow and Headless Woman, which set the perfect spooky mood. After hearing the story, everyone got creative! Using chalks, glue, stick-on stars, pens, and paints, our participants designed their own interpretations of the Black Sow and Headless Woman. The tables were covered in colour and imagination as everyone dove into their artwork, sparking some wonderful conversations along the way.
While we crafted, we shared memories of Halloween traditions from the past—like bobbing for apples, making costumes out of bin bags, and carving swedes (not pumpkins!). It was lovely to hear everyone’s stories and reminisce together. The group had a real sense of connection, with everyone chiming in with their own childhood Halloween memories.
After the crafts, we rounded off the session with a fun Halloween quiz, covering old Halloween songs and films. It was a hit, and everyone was in high spirits! The day wrapped up with a spontaneous idea to pop across the road to the sweet shop on Holton Road to try some freeze-dried sweets, which felt perfectly fitting with Halloween just around the corner.
From an occupational therapy perspective, sessions like this are so valuable. They provide a chance to engage in creative activities, which stimulate both fine motor skills and cognitive function. The reminiscence element helps with memory recall and provides a sense of identity and connection. Plus, being in a social setting encourages communication and reduces feelings of isolation. Everyone left the session with a smile and an eagerness to return!
Next Week’s Group: A Christmas Craft Special!
We’re thrilled to say that due to popular demand, next Tuesday’s group will have a festive Christmas theme! We’ll be doing some holiday crafting, so come along for another fun-filled session. It’s a great opportunity to get into the holiday spirit and connect with others in the community.
Hope to see you there! 🎄
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