For my action project, my friends and I want to visit a senior home and spend time with the seniors in our community. We want to help them feel included and cared for, especially those who may not get many visitors. Some activities we could do include playing bingo, colouring, playing simple games, or just sitting down and talking with them. To get started, we will contact a nearby senior home to ask if they allow student visitors and what activities we could do. After that, we can choose a date that works for everyone and prepare anything we need to bring.
In the TEDx talk, the idea that “everything is complicated” reminds me that even when we have a good idea, things might not always go as planned. For example, the senior home might not allow outside visitors, we might have trouble finding a date that works for everyone, or the residents might not be interested in the activities we planned. We also need to be careful because some seniors may have different needs or health concerns. If we cannot visit in person, we could look into making cards or finding another way to connect with them. This reminds me that when things do not go as planned, we should be willing to adjust our ideas instead of giving up.
I think this action can be sustainable if my friends and I continue visiting when our schedules allow. We could start with one visit and, if it goes well, try to make it a monthly activity. Since we are students, it might be difficult to go every week because of school and other commitments, but visiting once in a while is still a realistic way to help. We could also try different activities each time so the visits stay enjoyable for the residents.
This project provides an opportunity for us to connect with people from a different generation and learn from their experiences. Sometimes, we get so busy with school and our own lives that we forget how meaningful it can be to spend time with others. We want the residents to feel comfortable and enjoy our visits, so we will ask the staff what activities would be suitable and listen to the residents about what they like. We can also ask for feedback afterward to see what went well and what we could improve next time.
An expert who could help us with this project is the recreation staff or volunteer coordinator at the senior home. They know the residents and have experience planning activities for them. We could ask them for suggestions about what the residents would enjoy and what rules we need to follow during our visit. Their advice would help us prepare and make sure our activities are appropriate.
Overall, I think this project is a simple but meaningful way for my friends and me to give back to our community. We might not be able to make a huge difference in someone’s life, but we can still make their day a little better by spending time with them. I hope this experience will also remind us to appreciate the people around us and make more time to connect with others.
