Newbury care home on a mission to save traditional hobbies and skills

A care home in Newbury has joined a nationwide campaign to save older hobbies from being forgotten.

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Winchcombe Place, on Maple Crescent, found reading a map, using a compass and even simple handwriting are high within the top 50 list of lost talents – and a majority of those surveyed blame modern technology.

In a bid to prevent hobbies and skills from being lost over time and to give them a new lease of life, Winchcombe Place is encouraging locals to join a nationwide campaign to tap into thousands of older people’s expertise and knowledge – ‘Long Lost Hobbies’.

As part of the initiative, residents across the UK are revisiting favourite hobbies from their younger years and sharing their skills with younger generations.

In the South East especially, 68 per cent of respondents think today’s generations aren’t interested in learning things like identifying plants and insects, sewing on a button or even spelling – while a further 54 per cent said some old-fashioned skills simply aren’t needed anymore.

Kerry Thompson, home manager at Winchcombe Place, said: “Over time, many of us have become reliant on technology – meaning many hobbies that were once popular are now sadly being forgotten.

“This is why we’re excited to take part in the ‘Long Lost Hobbies’ initiative.

“Here at Winchcombe Place, we know residents have a wealth of skills and hobbies that are now considered to be on the decline – and that is something we wanted to celebrate.

“We’d like to encourage everyone in the Newbury community to join us in our efforts to save old skills and hobbies by reaching out to their relatives or neighbours.

“We have so much to learn from older generations – and I’m sure they’d be more than happy to share all of their knowledge.”

For top tips on how you and your loved ones can revisit forgotten pastimes, visit www.careuk.com/long-lost-hobbies.