My IMHope Journey : Part 1

Today's main activity was flower painting, and also the first time we carried out an Art & Craft session!

With paper plates, ice-cream sticks, coloured paper and paint, we made DIY paper plate flowers with the residents at Ward 53. The residents really love painting! Today is also the first time I am carrying out the main activity, as part of the planning committee.

Paper plate flowers made by residents at Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

Self-Reflection

Although not all of the residents wanted to take part in the art and craft activity we had planned, it was still heart-warming to see those residents who were painting the flowers being so happy after they had completed their flowers. These art and craft activities are opportunities for them to express their creativity and feelings. At some point of time, I actually felt I was having more fun than the residents!

Towards the end of the activity, some residents volunteered to wash the palettes and paint brushes. Contrary to what I believed, I realised that they are still capable of doing many things that the average person would do. In fact, we should treat them just like how we would do so to any other average person. I was glad even though it might be just a small gesture of helping to clean up of their own free will.

For the first time planning an activity, we missed out details such as bringing newspapers to prevent the paint from staining the table as well as planning for back-up activities. Surprisingly, it was when one of the residents reminded us to lay newspapers on the table that we realised all of us had forgotten to bring it. After making the first flower, majority of the residents were not interested to make another. However, there was still time left and we could have had another activity. We end up playing card/board games that were in the ward. Perhaps for future sessions, we could plan more than 1 activity and make full-use of the time we have there.

I am still in the process of befriending and getting to know each of the resident there. Since I only have a limited time there every Saturday, I would try my best to interact with different people every session and make sure I did not leave anyone out. However, I still have areas for improvement when it comes to engaging in conversations with some of the residents who are not as friendly as the others. Sometimes, I would still be awkward around those who I met for the first time as I do not know how to approach them. I hope during the next few sessions, I would have more opportunities to interact and converse with them through the various activities we planned or playing card/board games.

Overall, today was really fulfulling and I do hope to have more chances to interact and communicate with them next week. I really look forward to next Saturday!

Do keep up with my blog for more updates :D