Guide: Starting resident-led clubs in retirement villages
Step-by-step advice for residents interested in starting interest-based groups, such as book clubs, gardening committees, or art collectives.
As a community manager or a lifestyle coordinator in a seniors living community, you play a pivotal role in shaping the social landscape of your community. One of the most rewarding ways to encourage social interactions and engagement among your residents is through the creation of resident-led clubs or groups. These clubs, centred around shared interests like literature, gardening, painting, or even bird-watching, can offer residents a valuable opportunity to form deeper social connections, keep them engaged with enjoyable activities, and instill a sense of purpose and community. Here is an extensive guide on how to create and foster such resident-led clubs in your senior living community.
Step 1: Identifying interests
The foundation of any successful resident-led club is the shared interest that binds its members together. Therefore, the first step in creating a resident-led club is to identify the interests of your residents. This can be achieved through various means. You could conduct surveys to get a broad sense of the different hobbies and interests prevalent in your community. You might consider creating a survey with a variety of interest areas to check off and also leave room for residents to write in their own ideas.
Alternatively, informal conversations during social gatherings could provide insights into the passions and interests of your residents. Casual chats over coffee or during community events can often reveal hobbies and passions that surveys might miss. Be sure to have these casual conversations often and with a variety of residents to get a comprehensive understanding of their interests.
The Pluss Communities platform offers tools for conducting surveys and facilitating online discussions, which can make this process easier and more efficient.
Encourage residents to suggest club ideas, and be open and receptive to all suggestions. Remember, the goal is to create a club that resonates with the residents' interests, so their input is invaluable.
Step 2: Encouraging resident leadership
A resident-led club should, as the name suggests, be led by the residents themselves. Once you have identified a common interest, the next step is to encourage resident leadership. Look for residents who are passionate about the identified interest and show initiative. These residents can be encouraged to take on leadership roles within the club, such as organising meetings, coordinating activities, and liaising with you for any support they may need.
As a facilitator, your role is to provide them with the necessary guidance and support to navigate their roles effectively. This could involve training sessions on leadership and management, regular check-ins to address any concerns, and constant encouragement to keep them motivated. Regular, open communication is key here. Ensure they know they can turn to you for support when they need it, but also give them the autonomy to make decisions and lead the club in the direction they see fit.
Step 3: Establishing goals and structure
After identifying resident leaders, the next step is to work with them to establish clear goals for the club. These goals provide a sense of direction and purpose to the club activities. They could range from reading a book every month for a book club, to planting a community garden for a gardening club.
Once the goals are set, the next step is to decide on the structure of the club. This includes details like the frequency of meetings, the format of each meeting, the decision-making process, and any rules or guidelines for the club. While creating the structure, ensure it is flexible enough to accommodate the diverse abilities and preferences of all residents, while providing enough consistency to keep the club activities organised and on track.
Step 4: Providing necessary resources
As a community manager or lifestyle coordinator, it's your responsibility to ensure the club has the necessary resources to carry out its activities. Depending on the nature of the club, this could involve a dedicated meeting space, access to certain materials like books or gardening supplies, or logistical support in coordinating activities.
For instance, if you're forming a book club, ensure that there are enough copies of the book for all members. If the group is a gardening club, they may need gardening tools, seeds, and a designated area for planting.
Establish a clear line of communication where resident leaders can convey their needs, and residents can request additional resources. This not only ensures that the club activities run smoothly but also reinforces your role as a supportive facilitator.
Step 5: Promoting the club
Once the club is up and running, the next step is to promote it within the community. Effective promotion can boost the visibility of the club, attract new members, and create a sense of excitement in the community. You can use various channels for promotion, such as community newsletters, bulletin boards, and social media. The Pluss Communities platform can be instrumental in this, offering a platform for you to share updates about the club, post event announcements, and celebrate the club's achievements. You can use the groups feature to enable your residents to setup up and manage their own resident led groups.
Consider hosting an 'Open House' event where residents can come and learn more about the club, meet current members and potentially sign up. Regularly share updates about the club's activities and achievements to keep the rest of the community engaged, and to attract more members. Remember, the goal of promoting the club is not just to attract new members, but also to celebrate the efforts of the resident leaders and members, and to reinforce the sense of community.
Creating a resident-led club in a senior living community can be a rewarding endeavour, both for you and for the residents. By following these steps, you can help foster a thriving, resident-led club that enhances the quality of life for the residents in your community. Remember, the goal is to foster social connections, provide residents with a sense of purpose and belonging, and to make the community a more vibrant and engaging place to live. So be patient, be supportive, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
Club and Group Ideas
Here are some ideas for clubs and groups that you could consider. These suggestions cater to a wide range of interests and hobbies, and they can serve as inspiration for your residents. Feel free to adapt these ideas or come up with new ones based on your residents' unique interests and passions.
Manager's to-do list for creating a resident-led club in a senior living community
Step 1: Identify interests
Conduct surveys to assess residents' interests.
Schedule one-on-one conversations with residents to learn more about their passions.
Host group discussions to stimulate ideas and gauge broader interests.
Step 2: Encourage resident leadership
Identify potential resident leaders who show interest and initiative.
Encourage these residents to take on leadership roles within the club.
Provide support and guidance to these resident leaders to help them navigate any challenges.
Step 3: Establish goals and structure
Work with resident leaders to establish goals for the club.
Decide on the format and regular schedule of the club meetings.
Ensure the structure of the club is flexible enough to accommodate residents' preferences and abilities, while providing enough direction and consistency.
Step 4: Provide necessary resources
Identify and provide the necessary resources for the club to operate effectively. This might include a meeting space, access to materials or equipment, or support in coordinating activities.
Set up a communication channel for residents to request additional resources if needed.
Step 5: Promote the club
Announce the formation of the club in community newsletters or bulletins.
Post about the club on community social media channels.
Host an introductory meeting or event to attract new members.
Regularly share updates about the club's activities and achievements to keep the community engaged and to attract new members.
By following this to-do list, you can help foster a thriving and engaged community through the creation of resident-led clubs.
