Role of Leisure Activities for a Person's Well-Being

CU 2632 Provide support for leisure activities

1.Understand the role that leisure activities play in well being 1.1 Identify different activities that may be regarded as leisure activities

Sport activities like bowling, walking in the nature or parks, painting, craft arts like hand-made cards or decorating items. Cooking, baking (under supervision of course), gardening.
Going to cinema, theatre, visiting museums, gardening centres, or going to local restaurant and pubs, interacting with other people.

1.2 Explain how participation in leisure activities aids the well being of individuals

Active participation in leisure activities can improve self esteem, could reduce anger, fear stress, and could increase pleasant feelings.
Also, helps to encourage active participation, gain community presence, build self-esteem/ confidence, and develop choice, rights, individuality.

1.3 Describe the potential benefits of trying out new leisure activities from time to time

It contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality.
• maintain good health
• help recovery from illness
• alleviate stress and mental health problems
• improve physical health
• improve quality of life for older people
• enhance social interaction and improve community cohesion
• reduce aggression, violence and crime
• improve children’s well-being into adulthood.

2 Be able to support individuals to identify and plan for leisure activities

2.1 Identify with the individual their recreational needs, preferences and interests

Always have in mind minimizing of risk and overcome difficulties (health and safety, environment, equipment, others involved)

When choosing recreation activities, children, youth and adults with disabilities may need to first spend some time identifying what it is they would like to do:

Based upon what I know about a person, develop an informal schedule I can use with them that will provide information with respect to the types of recreational activities they might like to try.

Often the best way to support persons with disabilities in identifying their recreational preferences is to assist them to actually engage in programs in which they might be interested for a short “trial” period. Taking individuals on a “tour” of programs in which they have already indicated some interest and allowing them to experience the program, setting, and other participants is one avenue through which this can be accomplished.
Develop a Person-Centered Plan. Bring together the adult with a disability, those individuals who are part of his or her “circle of support,” and a professional who is capable of facilitating a person-centered plan. As part of the planning process you will learn a host of things about the focus person that will be valuable in helping to find a recreational experience that reflects their interests and meets their needs.

2.2 Agree which new or existing leisure activities are likely to suit the individual’s needs, preferences and interests

Always consider the care plan, bear in mind specific difficulties or complications that may appear, and of course communicate with the individual (observe if the individual is interested or not). Always consider what options are available and what benefits are likely to be gained, and of course consider the choices individuals have about how they make use of their leisure time.

2.3 Agree with the individual the level and type of support needed for participation in a leisure activity

The level and the type of support must be chosen according to the care plan and by communicating with the individual. Clearly, we have to bear in mind the type of activity and the difficulties that may appear.

2.4 Work with the individual and others to develop a plan to support participation in a leisure activity

When developing a plan to support participation in a leisure activity, always take into account the individual’s choices and rights, always discuss first with the individual future activities. Always ask for opinions from other professionals or other family members and of course see if the activities are suitable for the individual (disable access, etc)

3 Be able to encourage and support individuals to participate in leisure activities

3.1 Support the individual in line with the plan and in a way that promotes active participation

When supporting the individual in leisure activities, the plan must be followed and explained to the individual. Every step and any restriction that may encounter must be described as well as any alternative options. All the time the service user must be encouraged to take decisions (promoting independence).

3.2 Provide encouragement and positive reinforcement for the activity

I should always offer assistance and help especially when the individual is in doubt or he has questions regarding the activity. Positive reinforcement is about providing appropriate recognition and reward. It is important to help people recognise that they are doing the right thing, particularly when they are doing something well and are achieving something positive

3.3 Adjust support in response to any changes or difficulties encountered

Ways to minimise changes or difficulties include taking first aid kit with me, being aware of any transportations alternatives, keeping handy emergency phone numbers or maps of the area, being aware of local hospitals.

3.4 Describe how and when to access additional information or support about participation in a leisure activity

Additional information can be accessed from internet, individual’s care plan, from other professionals, from family and friends, colleagues.

4. Be able to contribute to the review and revision of support for leisure activities

4.1 Identify with the individual the process for reviewing their leisure activities

If an individual would want to review their leisure activities, first we as carers must seek feedback from them (what was good, or what went wrong, or what we can improve), if there is a program we can find out which goals have been checked, and if the leisure activity is aiming towards individual’s success

4.2 Seek feedback from the individual on the leisure activity and the support provided

Feedback happens all the time: in an informal way, we as carers are constantly receiving feedback (verbal, nonverbal). Service users and carers are partners in the observation process. Ask for feedback in different circumstances, on the spot, not at the end of the activity, as some things may be forgotten. Give choices about the feedback, as some people prefer to write their daily events, some people like to express verbally their comments, good or bad.

4.3 Carry out agreed role in contributing to the review

When contributing to the review and revision the support for leisure activities, we have to be open to the feedback, we have to listen to what they say, notice the non-verbal communication. We need to replace or cancel the activities that went wrong or not according to plan, with other activities more suitable for the individuals, or to make changes in the plan according to their wishes or feedback.

4.4 Implement agreed changes to the plan

Once the feedback and the discussion is finished, the activity plan has to change according to the individual’s desire, other colleagues and maybe other professionals must be informed about the changes and of course the care plan must be updated accordingly.