This Father's Day, lets think differently about activities for men
- Bright Copper Kettles CIC
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
With Father's Day approaching, our thoughts are naturally drawn to "activities for men".
So let's look at that in a more meaningful way.
Because whilst Father's Day can be a lovely opportunity to celebrate dads, grandads, stepdads and other important male figures in our lives, it can also lead us down a familiar path.
We start asking:
"What activity can we do for the men?"
But perhaps the better question is:
"How well do we know the men we support?"
Why some male residents don't join traditional activities
When we use the HELPS framework, we're encouraged to look at a person's Histories, Experiences, Lifestyles, Preferences and Strengths.
Not every man wants football, beer tasting, quizzes about cars or a discussion about famous sporting moments.
Some will, of course.
But meaningful activities are rarely about gender.
They're about people.
Think about the men living in your care home.
Who spent years fixing things?
Who was the person everyone called when something stopped working?
Who enjoyed DIY projects, repairing machinery, maintaining equipment or pottering in a shed full of tools?
Who took pride in solving problems?
Those skills, interests and experiences don't disappear when someone moves into care.
Sometimes they simply need an opportunity to be used again.
Workshop activities that help older men feel useful again
One of the most successful ways I've seen this happen is through workshop-style activities.
Not because we're expecting residents to repair complicated machinery, but because we're creating opportunities for them to use their knowledge, share stories and feel useful.
An old record player, a radio that no longer works, a clock that's stopped ticking, a toolbox, a collection of nuts and bolts or some garden tools can all become starting points for conversation and engagement.
The aim isn't necessarily to fix the item.
The aim is to reconnect people with familiar roles and strengths.
Sometimes meaningful engagement isn't about organising a special event at all.
It can be as simple as noticing what somebody is good at.
I remember a gentleman who took great pride in helping to maintain his environment. Give him a can of WD40 and a squeaky door hinge and he was completely engaged.
He wasn't attending an activity.
He was solving a problem.
He was helping.
He was being useful.
And that's a very different experience.
Don't forget the batteries, either.
Sometimes it's that simple.
I've seen residents spend happy amounts of time checking battery-operated items, replacing batteries and testing whether something works again.
And here's a little hack that has saved me countless frustrations over the years.
When you buy new clothes, save those little ribbon loops that are sewn into jumpers and t-shirts for hanging them on shop hangers. Most of us cut them off and throw them away.
Instead, place one underneath the batteries before putting them into a remote control, torch or radio.
When the batteries need replacing, simply pull the ribbon and the batteries pop straight out.
It's a simple trick, but it's often those practical little hints and tips that spark conversations and memories.
What should you call it?
If you're planning a regular session around practical skills, the name can make a difference.
Sometimes "activity group" doesn't sound particularly appealing to someone who spent their life working with their hands. Think about what your care home residents might get involved with. Ask for their opinions and suggestions of what they'd like to be included. Make sure to let them know that you are asking for volunteers for repairing and maintenance and everyday objects for this 'project'.
Be prepared for some very "practically minded ladies" to want to get involved too. Don't put them off, these ladies have fought their whole lives challenging stereotypes, and their skills, knowledge and experience should be valued just as much.
Once you've gathered some ideas about what the project might involve, sit down with the residents who are interested.
Ask them what they would call it.
After all, if this is their workshop, their repair club or their maintenance team, shouldn't they have a say in the name?
If you're stuck, then ask your favourite online search companion (Google, ChatGPT, Claude or whichever tool you prefer) to generate some ideas together.
Here are some ideas you might like:
The Workbench
Repair & Restore
The Repair Workshop
The Maintenance Workshop
Odd Jobs Club
Agree on something that sounds purposeful and feels familiar.
Most importantly, one that suggests that the skills and experiences people have built over a lifetime are still valued.
A simple way to plan better father's day activities
Try not to start with the theme.
Start with the person.
Take another look at the men in your care home who don't always join in.
What did they enjoy doing?
What roles gave them purpose?
What skills are still there waiting to be recognised?
What would make them feel useful, respected and included?
The most meaningful Father's Day activity might not look like a Father's Day activity at all.
It might be a resident showing someone how a radio works.
It might be replacing batteries in a torch.
It might be discussing how to repair a clock.
It might be oiling a squeaky hinge with WD40.
Because sometimes meaningful activity isn't about finding something for people to do.
It's about creating opportunities for people to continue being who they've always been.
Looking for more inspiration?
If you're always searching for meaningful activity ideas that go beyond the obvious, my Activity Coordinators Toolbox is designed to help. Packed with resources, activity packs and planning support, it's there to make your role just that little bit easier.
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