Busy Boards for Sheltered Scheme Residents

We recently partnered with Winchester City Council to create busy boards for the residents who have dementia in the local Sheltered Schemes.

Using a mixture of bought and donated materials our talented carpenter Craig built an interactive ‘Busy Board’ for the local sheltered schemes. The Winchester branch of Jewson donated the wood to start the project. Then, items that were surplus to household repairs, were used to put together an interesting array of activities. These activities were added to with some specially bought items. This completed the board and made the activities varied and interesting. The board was to be used by the residents of the WCC Extra Care Housing at Matilda Place.

The ‘Busy Board’ has a mix of stimulating activities that the residents will use to help maintain their fine motor skills and enhance hand-eye coordination. They also keep the user occupied and in a positive mood while engaging in the activities. The eye-catching and varied stimuli range from pull strings and changeable lights to laces and poppers and a mouse in a drainpipe.

The design can be used as a tabletop game or on the floor. It is also easily transportable and can therefore be taken to other sheltered schemes.

The work put into creating these boards, became all worth the while when we were able to see the joy it brought to residents while they were using them.

Amber Russell, Service Lead (Housing Operations and Community Safety): ‘This is fantastic Neal. Thanks to you and Craig. I’m sure the residents will love using this.’