 | By Jewish Care
August 27, 2008 | Share |
It's Tuesday morning at Jewish Care's connect@southgate day service where people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are trying out games such as virtual tennis on a Nintendo Wii console. The scheme is held in the Schindler Hall at Southgate Progressive Synagogue; similar schemes are held on other days at synagogues in Kenton, Hendon and St John's Wood.
Recreational organiser Susie Petar is giving a demonstration but Fay Green, 91, is an old hand at virtual bowling. "I play this with my grandson at my daughter's house, it's something interesting to do," she declares. The pair discuss techniques: "You've got to gauge it," says Mrs Green, who still has one skittle to knock down. She is concentrating on getting strikes and is clearly enjoying herself.
Members are sitting round in a semi-circle curious to see more. "Who wants to try virtual tennis?" asks Susie Petar and Phyllis Benjamin, 86, offers to have a go. Holding the console and studying the screen, she says: "I'm beginning to get the hang of it [serving], but I'm not very good."
At 89-years-old, Harry Buckland has been coming to Jewish Care's connect@southgate project since the Michael Sobell Community Centre closed. He has just completed painting a Spitfire onto a china dish, copied from a picture.
Harry Buckland says: "I never painted until I came to Southgate and now I'm a bit of a Picasso." Keen to play the Wii games he pronounced them "very enjoyable - I used to play football and cricket. Not so much tennis, but I would definitely try this [Wii game] again."
Centre members explain why they like coming to connect@. Phyllis Benjamin said: "It fills up your day and gives you people to talk to - the activities are a bonus. At our age we have lost so many of our friends. Now we go clubbing. There is something to do every day [in the community] if you want it."
Another member, Pearl Boyask, adds: "We all get so much out of coming here, I enjoy it very much."
The Wii games also scored at hit with Jewish Care volunteers. The previous day at the charity's connect@kenton day service (at Kenton United Synagogue), Roberta Liff tried her hand at virtual bowling. "I've never played before, I could actually get addicted to it," she said.
Pauline Gusack, acting manager of Jewish Care's connect@ centres, says: "We believe people can learn new skills at any age. Our aim is to help people stay active and healthy and make the most of their lives. Being with a group of friendly people and trying out new activities is a good way to achieve this."
