Craft groups

Doing and feeling together in older age: self-worth and belonging through social creative activities

“…This socialising and connecting with other people through creative activities, particularly at an older age, can increase people's quality of life through escape, companionship and self-identity formation, as previously argued by others (Greaves and Farbus, 2006; O'Shea and Leime, 2012; Liddle et al , 2013; Carnwath and Brown, 2014; Morgan et al , 2015). The activity itself becomes ‘a process for generating talk’ and, in these conversations, the recognition of self and others, reciprocity and empathy, and mutual learning, reflection and support develop (Carter and Everitt, 1998; Maidment and Macfarlane, 2009, 2011).…”

“…Furthermore, the voices of older women remain underrepresented in much academic research, including the leisure literature (Small, 2003; Henderson and Gibson, 2013; Wood and Dashper, 2021). Notable exceptions to this and the inspirations for our work are the conceptualisation of older women's art and craft participation by Liddle et al (2013), and Maidment and Macfarlane's (2009, 2011) studies of older women's experiences in craft groups. Liddle et al (2013: 337) conclude that ‘participation in art and craft activities [can create] a symbolic wholeness, where it is possible to complete items, help others, be valued and enjoy the moment’.…”

“…Liddle et al (2013: 337) conclude that ‘participation in art and craft activities [can create] a symbolic wholeness, where it is possible to complete items, help others, be valued and enjoy the moment’. Maidment and Macfarlane (2009: 23) also highlight the meaningfulness in completing an individual artefact and the importance of the ‘process of belonging and contributing to the craft group [as] a major source of personal support for these older women, where reciprocity, friendship, learning and empowerment [are] derived from being part of the collective’. It is the social process through which this happens that we explore in our study.…”

“…Taking part in arts, cultural and community activities enables older women to connect with others and create social networks (Moody and Phinney, 2012), increasing their confidence and leading to a better quality of life (Greaves and Farbus, 2006; Maidment and Macfarlane, 2009; O'Shea and Leime, 2012; Carnwath and Brown, 2014; Bennington et al , 2016; Joseph and Southcott, 2019). Indeed, Cutler (2012), in the Baring Foundation report into the arts and loneliness, concludes that such activities ‘exemplify the “five ways to well-being”: connect; be active; keep learning, take notice and give’.…”

Managing medications for individuals living with a dementia: Evaluating a web‐based information resource for informal carers

“…Informal carers report finding medication management stressful, complex and difficult, primarily because they perceive that they lack sufficient knowledge and training to take on this role (Gillespie, Mullan, et al, 2013). Further, according to the evidence, informal carers report safety concerns, such as ignorance about the potential dangers of crushing medications and medication errors resulting from unsupervised use by their care recipients (Gillespie, Harrison, & Mullan, 2013;Maidment & MacFarlane, 2009).…”