Charlotte Varcoe
FIDGET mats have become the new rage across aged care facilities and at the Mount Gambier District Hospital.
Initiated by the Lions Club of Mount Gambier, the fidget mats allow patients and residents an opportunity to keep themselves occupied whilst listening to music or waiting whilst in hospital.
Project leader Sandra Woodham said the idea struck her following a similar initiative conducted by an Adelaide Lions Club.
Ms Woodham said she was asked by Resthaven to create some of the mats for residents and once the project became too large for a single person, she brought the rest of the club onboard.
“On the same day I asked the Lions Club to assist, we received an email from the hospital to see if we could make some for the emergency department as well,” Ms Woodham said.
“It then became a project and I travelled to Adelaide to see how other clubs conducted their workshops before starting the workshops here.”
She said the initiative has now supplied Resthaven and others with four mats in total as well as fidget boards – with each taking approximately five hours to make.
“The people who use them absolutely love them,” she said.
Resthaven resident Jean Humphries has also conducted crafting the mats during the ladies craft group at the facility after her fellow residents spoke to her about the initiative.
Ms Humphries said her mats allowed those with memory issues to remain involved whilst conducting in activities such as listening to music.
“At 95 years old I cannot do much, but I do like helping where I can,” Ms Humphries said.
“Living in a little town, you help everyone you can and living in Resthaven is similar to that, so I help wherever possible.”
She said the mats allowed residents to remain occupied and keep themselves busy and she felt happy to know her mats were also helping others.
The Lions of Mount Gambier will continue to host workshops for the mats behind the Baptist Church on the second Wednesday of every month.
