Forres Area Community Trust is to offer activity sessions that are open for anyone in April and May. The sessions will begin online and it is hoped that they will be able to continue in Forres Town Hall once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) has secured funding from the Communities Recovery Fund, via the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), to support its Covid-19 response which addresses social isolation and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.
FACT Development Manager, Debbie Herron, commented: “We welcome the news confirming that Forres Area Community Trust has secured funding from the Scottish Government, via Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), to support work to reduce social isolation during the COVID-19 crisis, from the Communities Recovery Fund.”
She said: "FACT currently offers virtual sessions of gentle seated exercises to music with Sharon Finlay from Active Minds Moray every Wednesday from 11am-12.30pm. "Following on from the success of these sessions, we are delighted to offer more craft and exercise throughout April and May which is open to anyone over the age of 18. "Participants will see some familiar faces. Ms Finlay, Sharon Robertson from Varis Craft and arts and crafts teacher, Dawn Cawthra, will be taking the lead and running different sessions throughout the week."
Activities will include knitting, crocheting, paper crafts and drumming exercise. Kits for each activity will be distributed to all those who sign up to take part, so there will be no need to buy materials. Drumming equipment will be loaned to participants and collected when all of the sessions have been completed. Drumming will involve a gym ball balanced in a washing basket with drum sticks donated by Forres and District Pipe Band. Debbie said: "Ms Finlay already has some routines to music for a fun way to get fit from your armchair.
"She will also be teaching how to make crochet bunting, which we hope to use to decorate the hall when we are able to open again, and to celebrate the success of its Community Asset Transfer from Moray Council which was a real community effort!" Ms Cawthra will be teaching basic skills in knitting with the option to make a scarf, squares for a baby blanket or twiddle muffs for people living with dementia. Ms Robertson will offer instruction in card making and paper craft with lots of ideas for beginners, including a memory book.
Session Dates & Times
Drumming exercise with Sharon Finlay: Block 1 - Mondays 11am-noon on April 5, 12, 19, 26; Block 2 - Mondays 11am-noon on May 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Paper crafts with Sharon Robertson: Block 1 - Tuesdays 11am-noon on April 6, 13, 20 and 27; Block 2 Tuesdays 11am-noon on May 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Knitting with Dawn Cawthra: Block 1 - Wednesdays 2-3pm on April 7, 14, 21 and 28; Block 2 - Wednesdays 2-3pm on May 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Crocheting with Sharon Finlay: Block 1 - Thursdays 11am-noon April 8, 15, 22, and 29; Block 2 - Thursdays 11am-noon May 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Spaces are limited for these sessions and will run in four week blocks with a maximum of 10 people, each block. If you would like to book a space on one of the sessions contact Kirsty, Older Person’s Project Co-ordinator or Lorretta, Older Person’s Project Officer at FACT on 01343 674388 or email info@forresarea.org.