Introduction
St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish has long been involved in social outreach/development programmes within and outside of the community. We have also worked with both Government and Non-Governmental organisations in implementing such programmes.
The environment in our nation at present is very different from twenty years ago. Life is much faster-paced and there are numerous opportunities for personal development and employment for everyone. This results in much ‘busyness’ of life and puts the extended family in jeopardy.
Of grave concern to us, then, is the quality of life of a great number of senior citizens in the nation as a whole, but in Princes Town and environs area in particular. Whereas many of our retirees are able to remain active in groups and organisations, and maintain contact with friends, relatives and acquaintances, there are many others who very rarely venture outside their homes and for whom life has become burdensome.
We note the following:
- There is a longer life expectancy because of better health care and nutrition and information in general. Despite this, there is a paucity of provision for the elderly who sometimes feel lonely and unappreciated.
- The Princes Town and environs area has quite a number of aging persons who are not involved enough in activities which would add to their quality of life. It is noteworthy that in our Parish, more than sixty percent (60%) of the regular worshippers are above sixty (60) years of age.
In light of the above, and desirous of providing an avenue for the elderly to express themselves in a friendly, caring, non threatening environment, the St. Stephen’s Parish Vestry has decided to establish an Activity Centre for the Elderly, catering for persons aged sixty and over.
We recognise that in order to embark on such a project that would provide sufficient outreach to this part of our population, we need to partner with other stakeholders who are either already involved in or are predisposed to working with similar projects, our preferred partner being the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging.
Executive Summary
The St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Vestry, the Managing Authority of the St. Stephen’s Parish, envisages the establishment of an Activity Centre for the Elderly, operating out of the St. Stephen’s Community Hall, between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00 pm. We feel that this Centre would enhance the quality of life of most of our senior citizens. It would offer a wide and varied programme catering for their needs. Besides being able to share experiences with others, renew old and make new acquaintances, our senior citizens would be retooled by learning new skills, and have the opportunity to share their vast range of knowledge and experience.
The Centre would operate three times a week in the first instance, progressing to five days depending on the demand for the programme and the availability of resources. It will be staffed by skilled people from the community. The operation of the centre and the implementation of its programme would be monitored by a Board of Directors answerable to the Vestry to ensure the programme objectives are achieved. The Board of Directors will ensure that the centre is operated using the guidelines stipulated by the St. Stephen’s Vestry and the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging.
Project Description
The establishment of the St. Stephen’s Activity Centre for Senior Citizens would involve the following:
- Making physical adjustments to the existing Community Hall for an Administrative Office, Computer Room, Exercise Room, Store Room improved washroom facilities and air conditioning of the building. We intend that this project to be a long-term one, and because the venue is used for numerous activities, there is need to enclose the area for the Administrator’s Office, provide a secure Computer Lab and have adequate secure storage for the furniture and equipment. There is provision for a room at the Northern end of the existing building for an Exercise Room/Store Room specifically for the exercise equipment. We intend that the equipment be used in this room, thus eliminating the need for our senior citizens from having to move the equipment each time there is need. Also, since the items will always be in place the senior citizens will be encouraged to exercise more often.
- Developing of a programme of activities: There will be a range of activities suitable for the enjoyment and development of the participants of the programme. We intend to allow for input of some of our senior citizens in the formulation of this programme.
- Implementing an organisational structure: This would involve the selection and employment of suitable personnel to carry out the functions of the Centre.
- Selecting and hiring of tutors/facilitators to conduct the selected activities
- Procuring suitable furniture and equipment for the various activities
- Accepting at least forty (40) participants or up to one hundred (100) as the Centre becomes more established. Formulation of ‘Rules of Engagement’ for participants to ensure that everyone is comfortable and free to work.
Project Objectives:
- To provide support to senior citizens of the community of Princes Town and environs
- To make them feel wanted and increase their sense of self-worth
- To enable them to gain/upgrade skills (eg. computer skills) now in widespread use in society
- To allow them to pass on their skills and knowledge to each other and to the younger generations
- To allow them to socialise / improve their avenues for socialization with their peers and others
- To engage them in appropriate activities
- To keep body and mind active
- To foster intergenerational activities and relationships
Expected outcomes:
- Older persons would lead more fulfilled lives, perhaps resulting in longer life expectancy.
- Older persons would experience a greater degree of self-worth and independence
- Older persons would gain greater experience and skills.
- Mentors for youths would emerge.
Project Management
Organisational Structure
There will be a Board of Directors, consisting of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, two Trustees and 2 Community Representatives. The Centre Manager will be required to attend meetings of the Board of Directors.
The Staff of the Centre would be responsible for its day-to-day operations. There will be:
- 1 Centre Manager
- 1 Programme Director
- 2 Centre Assistants
- 1 Administrative Assistant
- 1 Cleaner
- 1 handyman
Monitoring of the Project:
The St. Stephen’s Vestry in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging, would have oversight of the Proposed Activity Centre for Senior Citizens. The Board of Directors has the direct responsibility for the monitoring of the project. It is expected that written reports would be forwarded monthly to the St. Stephen’s Vestry by the Board of Directors and forwarded by the St. Stephen’s Vestry to the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging. The Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging would communicate with the St. Stephen’s Vestry. It is also expected that all managing authorities would make periodic visits to the Centre to monitor its operation. Representatives of the St. Stephen’s Vestry and the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging would be ex-officio members of the Board of Management.
Chain of Command/Job specifications
- The Board of Directors would be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the operation of the Centre and for ensuring that the project objectives are achieved. It would have responsibility for managing the finances and would be mandated to ensure the sustainability of the project. The Board of Directors would be answerable to the St. Stephen’s Parish Vestry through the submission of monthly reports.
- The Centre Manager would be directly responsible for the day to day administration of the Centre. The person would implement the decisions of the Board of Directors, ensure that the activities of the Centre are carried out satisfactorily, supervise the work of the other staff, monitor the safety and health of participants, ensure the availability, maintenance and security of the furniture and equipment and maintain records relevant to the operation of the Centre. These records are to be available to the supervising authorities. The Centre Manager may accompany the participants on field trips. The person is answerable to the Board of Directors and would submit written reports on a weekly basis.
- The Programme Director would be responsible for conducting the activities with the participants in an appropriate manner, assisting the Centre Manager in organising for the activities facilitated by external tutors and would accompany the participants on field trips. The Programme Director is answerable to the Centre Manager.
- The Centre Assistants are to assist the Programme Director in conducting the activities with the participants. They are to accompany the participants on field trips. The Centre Assistants are answerable to the Centre Manager.
- The Administrative Assistant is to assist the Centre Manager with Secretarial and Clerical duties, record keeping, Receptionist duties, and perform other related duties the Centre Manager may request during the course of the day.
- The Cleaner will ensure that the building and its environs are clean and ready for use each morning and will make a thorough clean at the end of the day’s activities. The Cleaner would be required to remain on site during the course of the day’s activities for spot cleaning. The Cleaner is answerable to the Centre Manager.
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Implementation Schedule:
Phase 1: Submission of project April/May 2008
Sourcing funding
Phase 2: Programme Planning May/June 2008
Preparation of Job Description & Specification
Listing Criteria for selection of Board of Management
Listing Criteria for selection of Staff
Phase 3: Selection of Board of Management June 2009
Venue preparation
Sourcing/Purchasing furniture and equipment
Phase 4: Selection of Staff July’August 2009
Acceptance of participants
Launch of Centre September 2009
Operation of Centre
Proposed Programme of Activities:
The Centre’s programme will consist of:
- On-site activities: Eg. Crafts, lectures on suitable topics, games, cooking, small scale gardening, visits from schools.
- Field Trips: Eg. Visits to factories and other places of interest, site-seeing trips to various parts of the country, mall visits, beach outings.
- Tutorials: Eg. Computer Literacy.
- Fitness programme
- Entertainment: Eg. Television and movie viewing, card games, dancing, individual performances, visiting entertainers.
- Volunteer activities: Seniors will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas they choose. Eg. Mentoring students from neighbouring schools, conducting lectures, specific projects with themselves, groups or students.
- Monthly Health and Wellness Days which would include visits by a medical doctor.
Sustainability of Project
It is intended that this Activity Centre for Senior Citizens be a long-term project. The Board of Directors, members of which will be rotated on an alternating basis every two years, will be mandated to formulate and implement plans for the continued viability of the project. Plans are to include preparations for the payment of stipends following the period the Ministry of Social Development – Division of Aging would have agreed to assist in that regard.
We also hope to involve the Business Community and other Non-Governmental Organisations involved in or interested in such projects. A collaborative venture will avail us of help from members of the Geriatric Adolescent Programme, who will be able to assist in the day to day operation of the Centre.
Long Range Goals
It is hoped that this project, which will involve the senior citizens in all planning and implementation aspects, will fulfil the need for inclusion. In the future we see the need for:
- Erecting a building on available land for use by the Centre
- Purchase of a mini-bus to transport of the senior citizens to and from home and on field trips. This will facilitate the attendance by persons who have difficulty commuting to the venue.
Conclusion
We, members of the St. Stephen’s Parish Vestry, welcome the opportunity to contribute to the community in this way, hoping that the establishment of this Activity Centre for Senior Citizens would indeed result in our senior citizens continuing to lead productive lives, being happier, more engaged and more fulfilled. We feel that we are quite able to undertake such a project since we have a venue with much infrastructural work in place, which is very accessible and well known to the community. Additionally we believe we have the goodwill and cooperation of the community in which we have been an integral part for so long. It is our mission to continue to do what we can to assist in the development of our community and nation.
Sample Programme for Activity Centre
Week 1
| Day | Activity Type | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|
1 |
On-site Activity |
Fitness Programme |
Craft |
|
2 |
Field Trip |
Site-seeing tour |
|
|
3 |
Volunteer Activity |
Mentoring Project: |
Week 2
| Day | Activity Type | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|
1 |
On-site Activity |
Fitness Programme |
Indoor Games |
|
2 |
Field Trip |
Visit to Shopping Mall |
|
|
3 |
Tutorial: |
Computer Literacy |
Participants’ choice of activity |
Week 3
| Day | Activity Type | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|
1 |
On-site Activity |
Fitness Programme |
Food Preparation/Small scale gardening |
|
2 |
Field Trip |
Visit to Library |
|
|
3 |
On-site activity |
Computer Literacy |
Ball Room Dancing |
Week 4
| Day | Activity Type | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|
1 |
On-site Activity |
Fitness Programme |
Entertainment: Movie |
|
2 |
Field Trip |
Visit to Beach/Factory Tour |
|
|
3 |
Special Event |
Health and Wellness Day: |
Health and Wellness Day: Physical checks by Medical Practitioner |
