A BROMSGROVE care home is on a mission to save old hobbies and skills from being forgotten.
Chandler Court has joined a nationwide campaign to safeguard the traditional pastimes for future generations.
A poll carried out by Care UK, which operates the home, found reading a map, using a compass and even simple handwriting are among the top 50 list of lost talents – and over three quarters of those surveyed blame modern technology.
In a bid to give hobbies and skills a new lease of life, Chandler Court is encouraging residents to join the ‘Long Lost Hobbies’ campaign to tap into thousands of older people’s expertise and knowledge.
As part of the scheme, residents across the UK are revisiting favourite hobbies and sharing their skills with younger generations – with those living at Chandler Court having the opportunity to join a gardening club or taking part in intergenerational activities regularly.
Vongai Mushinga, Chandler Court’s home manager, said: “Over time, many of us have become reliant on technology – meaning many hobbies that were once popular are now sadly being forgotten.
“Here at Chandler Court, we know residents have a wealth of skills and hobbies that are now considered to be on the decline – and that is something we wanted to celebrate.”
She urged everyone across the West Midlands to join in with the campaign by reaching out to their relatives or neighbours.
“We have so much to learn from older generations – and I’m sure they’d be more than happy to share all of their knowledge.”
Visit careuk.com/long-lost-hobbies for more information and see below for the Top 50 list.
TOP 50 LOST SKILLS AND HOBBIES
1. Writing letters
2. Map reading
3. Knowing proper grammar
4. Mental maths
5. Remembering phone numbers
6. Using a compass
7. Handwriting
8. Handwashing clothes
9. Making a fire from scratch
10. Stamp collecting
11. Sewing/making clothes yourself
12. Spelling
13. Wiring a plug yourself
14. Calligraphy
15. Preserving food – such as pickling
16. Sewing on a button yourself
17. Making your own jam
18. Making your own cheese
19. Tying knots
20. Knitting
21. Identifying different plants, trees or insects
22. Changing a tyre yourself
23. Making your own bread by hand
24. Remembering addresses
25. Using an index in a book
26. Giving directions
27. Remembering dates
28. Reading music
29. Carpentry
30. Baking a cake by hand
31. Pottery making
32. Storytelling
33. Cooking something from memory
34. Reading
35. Putting up a shelf yourself
36. Critical thinking
37. Time keeping
38. Caring for chickens
39. Speaking/learning another language
40. Budgeting
41. Creative writing
42. Finding facts
43. Following instructions
44. Caring for plants
45. Gardening
46. Following a recipe
47. Drawing
48. Fishing
49. Taking photos
50. Editing photos yourself
