3 tips to help your residents get involved...

The most important part of the role of Activity Coordinator is to solve the puzzle of how to get residents engaged in your community activities at a level suited to them.

1. Take time to get to know who they are; what makes them tick? who is important to them? what are their interests? how busy is their day?

- Let them get to know you, and to appreciate you as a person who is genuinely interested in them.

2. Talk to them about what you have planned for the day.

Start conversations with points about what you are going to be doing next.

"I'm going to the shop later... I need to get some more wool for the knitting club... do you knit?"

"What colours do you think I should get?... which are your favourite colours?"

"Would you like to come to the shop with me?... it would be good to have your input."

3. Use physical evidence to show them what you did earlier, such as photographs and examples of crafts.

Use your objects as conversation starters such as...

"Maggie made this card..."

"Have you heard Sam singing? I've got a video of him from the Karaoke session yesterday..."

"I've got some photos to put into the activity album... look at this lot....which ones do you think I should include?"

- "Would you be able to help me put them in the album?"