Print
Share page with AddThis

Senior Services Brainstorming and Forum

Summary of Senior Brainstorming Session*
9/25/2019, Stratham Municipal Center

Group trips to Seacoast restaurants? A place to meet for coffee and to “solve the world’s problems?” Exercise groups, card games, day trips, weekly lunches, and volunteering. These ideas and more were brainstormed by about 40 people gathered at the Municipal Center on 9/25. Broad areas of interest that rose to the top (in order of importance) were space(s), coordinator/director, programming, social/community, information sharing, and transportation, and coordination. This summary reflects the discussion and the ideas collected.

Senior brainstorming

Current Programming and Services:

Scheduled weekly:

  • Bone Builders,
  • PickleBall,
  • Painting classes (new in 2019!),
  • Tai Chi classes (new in 2019!),
  • Knitting group.

Monthly:

  • Stratham Seniors group,
  • Book discussion group.

Throughout year:

  • Community day trips,
  • Speakers, presentations, workshops (travel, fraud prevention, health and wellness, craft workshops, civic information),
  • Technology help and classes,
  • TASC driving service,
  • Loans of Ereaders, SAD lights, media converters; In-library use of film/slide converter.

Current Information Sharing:

  • Select Board email newsletter: all attendees who provided email addresses were signed up for the newsletter.
  • Parks & Recreation emails: create account online and you will receive emails about upcoming programs.
  • Library email newsletter: Sign up for Dewey Dispatch online or by contacting the library. You can also visit the library to sign up for any of above.
  • Stratham Magazine (senior happenings/corner coming soon).
  • Postings of regional senior programming on library bulletin board.

Brainstorming Ideas and Discussion:

Spaces

  • Community, local, welcoming. Opportunity to make connections in community, meet new people,
  • A space dedicated to senior uses,
  • Used for scheduled programs and drop-in,
  • Including storage,
  • Regularly scheduled/recurring activities (ie: weekly),
  • Furniture: tables and chairs for cards, games; comfortable seating, coffee tables,
  • Coffee maker, small fridge,
  • Use of existing spaces like school, Fire House, Municipal Center, Library.

Coordinator/Director

  • Director who can do the organizing/planning, manage space, promote in community (see other centers for examples),
  • Medical/health resources,
  • Volunteer organizers,
  • Senior “welcome wagon” – volunteers to personally welcome new people, introduce what is available, how to get information, and how to get involved.

Programs/Activities

  • Group trips to local restaurants,
  • Day trip ideas: McAuliffe-Shepard Planetarium, Currier Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright House (Zimmerman),
  • More bone builders and other exercise classes,
  • Walking group,
  • More community day trips on variety of days,
  • Discussions on topics specific to seniors/active retired,
  • “Grumpy old men” social and/or discussion group,
  • Card groups, game nights,
  • Lifelong learning courses,
  • Drop-in: informal gatherings, coffee, games, cards, interest groups,
  • Volunteer opportunities,
  • Weekly meal followed by informal socializing,
  • Look at examples: YMCA, Newmarket, Seabrook, Exeter, Portsmouth centers, Active Retirement Association, UNH, OLLI at Granite State College.

Transportation

Bus/van for local group trips (Exeter partners with Meals on Wheels), ways to get to a senior gathering spot, transportation to other Seacoast senior programs and spaces,

Volunteer drivers.

Information Sharing

  • Types of information: volunteer opportunities and needs, upsoming events, trips, classes, resources, other local centers, upcoming topics for monthly groups, contact lists,
  • One clearinghouse/central location for all information,
  • Printed and/or posted copies in addition to email.

Additional thoughts, questions, considerations raised:

  • Finances: how do other centers budget? Through town? Grants? Member Fees?
  • Partnerships: Investigate opportunities to get discounts at YMCA or participate at a particular program there at no cost; joint day trips with other towns; use resources at other centers.
  • Scheduling: What times/days is space or programming most needed? Possible to offer popular programs on several different days/times to accommodate more people? Create mix of one-time programs, weekly, bi-weekly, and drop-in.
  • Examples: Newmarket, Exeter, Seabrook, Portsmouth – and towns farther away (friends and family experiences). Ask “how does this work in your town?”

Many thanks to everyone who came for the discussion and shared so many great ideas. If you would like to participate in other brainstorming sessions or volunteer to be involved, contact the the Parks and Recreation office (772-7450) and we’ll add you to our list. If you would like to be subscribed to any of the email newsletters, contact the Library (772-4346) and we’ll sign you up.