Wednesdays are always activity group time for Hannelore Mann.
Seated dancing, senior citizens' group in St. Bernward, salt cave at Dunantplatz and the Aktiv-Treff: all of these are part of Hannelore Mann's weekly routine. "I'm always on the go," says the senior citizen from Tiergartenbreite. "Only on Fridays do I have to do something at home – so I don't end up writing my name on the table." She always blocks Wednesdays for the Aktiv-Treff at Schulenburgallee 40. She has been doing so for seven years! From 2 p.m. onwards, everyone drinks coffee and tea in a large group and chats away. Afterwards, small groups play rummy, Skip-Bo and Rummikub. "It's a lot of fun. Everyone is nice. Sometimes we can't get enough. Then we sit here until eight in the evening," says Hannelore Mann.
I'm always on the go. Only on Fridays do I have to do something at home – so I can't write my name on the table.
A place where community is paramount
The Aktiv-Treff was opened in 2008: a barrier-free ground floor flat with an outdoor area. NEULAND makes it available free of charge for activities. Yoga, creative design, singing together, baking biscuits: anyone looking for a meeting place for social activities can obtain a key by arrangement, reports Manuela Eltner, Head of Service & Social Affairs. The coordinator of the meeting place is Manuela Patricny from the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (Parity Welfare Association). The 59-year-old, who previously worked in nursing and looked after dementia groups, also provides information about support services for older people. "On Mondays and Wednesdays, people get together here from 2 p.m. to chat and play games. We also have barbecues and plant our raised bed. The community is very harmonious," she says. On other days, volunteers can fill the meeting place with life – across generations.
During our visit, we also meet Marlis Haebler. She has been there from the beginning. "We are the club of cheerful widows," she says, describing the appeal of the meetings. Anita Kutschera visited the Wednesday group for the first time this summer. "I knew I had to do something to keep myself from falling into a deep hole," she says. "I liked it right away." Now she also joins in on Mondays. The relaxed group tells us that there is also room for everyday problems here if needed; that two of them have just been to the Black Forest together and how the group once spontaneously played and drummed along to a radio hit. As we say goodbye, a senior citizen takes us by the arm in a friendly manner. "You'd better write: This is a great bunch," she says. But we had planned to do that anyway.
impressions
We demonstrate how encounters give rise to community.
For further information, please contact Manuela Patricny
Email:
manuela.patricnyparitaetischer "«@&.deTelefon: 0171 4 17 90 57