Project Village: Covid-19 Wellbeing Activity bags -Support families to connect with the elderly and disabled people

Greetings NZ, my story is inspired by the very first NZ lockdown March 2020. A tough time for many. I am one of a large number of pacific island primary caregivers' and I cared for my dear late 80 year old mother, Tumua. Mum suffered a stroke which severely impacted her mobility and quality of life over time.

Entertaining my kids during lockdown wasn’t the challenge, it was my elderly mother. Mum had always been an active and socially independent person and so to keep her engaged, connected, motivated, loved and not forgotten, I needed to look at solutions for her.

On her good days we set aside quality family time and do activities that would cater to her physical and more importantly her mental well-being.

Her favourite game was housie/bingo. We also played ping pong in the cup, mini basketball, quiz games based on stories from the bible, and various card games such as UNO, last card and Samoan suipi.

Mums eyes lit up whenever she knew it was activity time and it was here we created her own activity bag and stored this in her bedroom.

We carried out an engagement survey across 50 pacific island families. The survey asked what they did with their elderly during lockdown. 44 responses were received and the feedback showed that over half did not go to the level of engagement as we did with mum.

Although the survey results indicated that there were some great family engagement this included baking, watching tv/church service online, grocery shopping, walks around the neighbourhood, attending appointments and having meals together.

In a lot of cases there were families that didn't do much or nothing at all.

I want to personally challenge families to connect and engage with their loved ones. Help improve their wellbeing by overcoming loneliness and depression during the lockdowns. Be in the now moment.

Together we can increase awareness and support especially to all Pacific island families who are caring for an elderly and disabled person.

Project Village is a group of young people inspired by wanting to make a difference, to give back to their loved ones who help raise them.

‘It takes a village to raise a child' and that child will grow up to remember, the people or Village whom made a positive impact in their lives. Pay it forward.

Project Village have plans to improve engagement amongst families with a goal to leave them with ideas and educate them on what can be done. (Watch this space)!

We would love to gift the elderly and disabled people with an Activity Bag containing various games inside. Target is to initially fundraise for up to 30 bags. If we get more, then that’s a further blessing!

The bags will each have different types of games/activities they can do. The price for each game ranges from $3-$12. Total cost per bag estimated at around $60.

How we will distribute these? By approaching community senior groups, families & friends we know who need the support and tools. Secondly The long term goal would to take this concept a step further be implemented into a health focussed care plan program 0r part of the home care assessment plan for the elderly and disabled.

The driving force is all about connecting the mental, spiritual, social and physical. Therefore this is not specific to lockdowns. As much as all families need an emergency kit, it would be amazing for all families to have an activity bag for all to utilise.

Thank you for your support.