Get creative with The January Challenge

An initiative by 64 Million Artists, The January Challenge encourages people to take on a different creative challenge every day in January, with a special Champions Pack produced for care home settings

Sign up and details of each challenge will be delivered to your inbox each day. However, the organisation recognises that in some settings, such as care homes, it can be useful to know in advance what challenges are coming up and how you might tailor them to the setting. That's why it has produced a Champions Pack which lists all the challenges together with suggestions for group engagement provided by Learning for the Fourth Age, a Leicester-based organisation which supports learning in care homes.

Fiona Smith from Learning for the Fourth Age worked on the pack. She says, "You're never too old to learn and giving people the chance to be creative every day is important for well-being. When we are creative, we have access to community and connection. It helps you tune into how another person is feeling."

Sharon Lewis is an activities leader at Hazelgrove Court Care Home in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. She says, "Our residents love taking part. When I come in every morning they ask me straightaway what the challenge is for the day. I don't do heaps of preparation. I just have a peek beforehand and then it's over to the residents to decide what we do. It's so helpful having a list of ideas for activities that I'd never think of on my own. And on the days I'm not in I can pass the booklet over to other staff."

Taking part in the challenge has enriched the life of the home in many different ways. "The other day we stuck eyes on our water machine as part of one the challenges - that made everyone smile," says Sharon. "Last year, one of the challenges focused on sign language. One of our ladies was inspired to go on and do a sign language course and now she has a certificate in sign. She was a nurse in her working life and had always wanted to learn but had never had the time."

Organisers stress there is no right or wrong way to approach each challenge and the most important thing is to have fun. Participants are encouraged to post up the fruits of their labours on social media.

Sign up to The January Challenge email alerts or download your Champions Pack for Care Home Settings.