Activities and providers - Joining-In - Upstream

Activities & providers

You can provide your own activities, sharing your skills and experience, or you can ask people to come and share their skills with you.

What skills do people have in your group?

If you can share skills at some of your meetings, the advice will be free and you will benefit from personal enthusiasm.

Who will visit your group without cost?

Some people might provide an activity or give a talk for free - people from the health team, public services (such as Police or Fire), your local council or local businesses may all be willing. Some local societies might be happy to give a talk to encourage people to join them. Think what might interest you and don't be afraid to ask.

Professional providers can be expensive.

Depending on their experience, reputation, the materials they provide or the distance they travel, speakers, artists or tutors might each charge very different rates for a two hour or half-day session. Don't be put off if it seems expensive. Professional guidance will always be worthwhile. You should discuss the fee in advance and ask exactly what they'll do and what equipment they need you to provide such as tables or an electric socket. Check whether you have to pay travel expenses and what this will cost.

Variety is the spice of life. 

A professional provider can often give you guidance one week that will enable you to practise what you've learned for another week or two. There's no need to have a professional every week. Once a month might be enough. Fill in the other weeks with your own skills or a ‘free' session from someone, or maybe an outing or just a social get-together.

Materials and equipment.

You may need just a few simple things like paper and paints or fabrics for sewing quilts, or more expensive things like cameras or a CD-player or a microphone and recording equipment for your reminiscences. Start collecting what you can for free. Ask local shops or businesses whether they can let you have anything they're no longer using.