If you are looking for something fun and creative to do to help dispel the boredom of those dull winter days, we’ve got just the thing for you!
Arts organisation Kaleidoscope will be kicking off the new year in style with a brand new programme of online creative classes and workshops exclusively for older people. The classes are presented by Imagine Arts and will be hosted right here on Greysnet.
The classes will cover a selection of colourful and creative pursuits including creative writing, singing, movement and mindfulness. Each of the courses will be led by experienced professional tutors and will be fully interactive so participants can engage with the tutors and the other participants. And best of all the classes are completely free, thanks to the support of the Belfast City Council.
The classes will begin in January 2022 and will continue until the end of March. Here’s a look at what’s in store in the first few weeks. Keep an eye on the website as more classes will be added in the coming weeks!
Feel Good Moves (starts Friday 14 January @ 11pm and continues weekly)
Get the weekend off to a positive start with a little light movement and music in the company of the wonderful Charmaine. Charmaine uses the power of dance and movement to create a positive sense of physical and emotional wellbeing. “Listening to your favourite music and getting the body moving helps to lift your spirit and makes the body and mind feel good. So join me for a series of workshops – moving to feel good.”
Singing with Vessie (starts Thursday 13 January @ 11am and continues weekly)
Join award winning choir mistress Vessie Ivanova as she helps participants to improve their singing voice and experience the pure joy of singing with others. Participants will learn breathing and body exercises, expression and storytelling to improve their performance skills. The group will explore songs from different genres and learn about different styles of singing.
Mindfulness Meditation (starts Wednesday 12 January @ 11.30am and continues weekly)
Meditation is the practice of paying attention to the present moment. Evidence has shown that a regular meditation practice can have innumerable benefits such as improved relationships, a better ability to deal with the stresses of life and overall improved well-being. This course draws on practices from various traditions. Each week our tutor Orla will introduce a different techniques so that participants learn how to adapt a practice that suits their learning style and enjoy bringing meditation and mindfulness into their daily lives.
Creative Writing (Starts Wednesday 12 January @ 6pm and continues weekly)
Our wonderful creative writing tutor, Karen Quinn, will be teaching you everything you need to know to help you have a go at creative writing, or if you’ve already begun your journey as a writer, Karen will help you to develop your skills with a plethora of hints, tips, techniques and ideas.
Step by Step Drawing (starts Thursday 20 January @ 11am and continues weekly)
Join tutor Grace Haynes for a step by step introduction to the world of pencil drawing. This course is a four-week programme based around building skills in pencil drawing through studying the natural world around us. The theme for each weekly session is based around our native wildlife both animals and plant life.
How to Take Part
The Imagine Arts classes are free to take part in and there’s no need to sign up in advance just go to the “Classes” section of the Greysnet website, choose the class you want and use the ZOOM link on the classes page to join the class at the start time. It’s easy and fun so why not give it a go!
You can find out about all of the courses by logging on to the “Classes” section of the Greysnet website and searching for the one you want.
Mary Cunningham
Absolutely Delighted with this innovative project! Can’t wait to attend these classes.
Thank you so much.
Pauline Bailey
Sounds a brilliant idea. Will definitely give it a try. Many thanks
Jeanne Couch
Sounds wonderful thank you so much
Bernadine Livings
What a lovely surprise when I opened up the email, will definitely give the classes a try, especially the mindfulness one
Iris cannon
Looking forward to music and dance.
Hazel Jones
Looking forward to taking part in some of these classes. Thank you for bringing them to us oldies.
Hazel Jones
Looking forward to taking part in some of these classes. Thank you for bringing them to us oldies.
Anne Galbraith
Interested in the singing project, also the relaxation.
Carol Pirie
Did you mention Mindfulness at one stage?
Lynne Billingham
What good news!!
Kathryn Edgerton
Tried the dance and exercise today really enjoyed and felt the benefits. Kathryn in Scotland
Mary Cunningham
Hi Kathryn ! This is Mary from Newry! Delighted to see you are from Scotland! Our daughter lives in East Lothian. I love Scotland! Will look out for you next Monday! Loved that class! Charmaine is amazing.
Rosemary
Looking forward to to taking part
Janice delaney
How do you join ‘feel good moves’
Kerry Rooney
Hi Janice
It’s easy, just go to the page each Monday just before 3pm and click on the Zoom link to join the class.
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John Wills
Came across this interesting site via a link in a U3A email. Are there age restrictions that prevent people under a certain age from joining the Zoom presentations?
Kerry Rooney
Hi John
We don’t really have any strict age restrictions. The site and the classes are intended for older people.
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Valerie Eckett
Will be hoping to join in a few classes looking forward to relaxation abnd maybe a bit of drawing and just experimenting. Thank you
IAN STYLES
THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME THIS INFORMATION. I DO NEED ASSISTANCE QUITE OFTEN IN COPING WITH ASPECTS OF GOOGLE DOCS/SHEETS. I DOUBT VERY MUCH IF SUCH ADVICE FALLS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THAT WHICH YOU CAN OFFER. IF I AM INCORRECT PLEASE ADVISE ME. THANK YOU .
June Russell
Will you be doing the drawing classes again, as I’ve only just learned about them?
Kerry Rooney
Hi June
The drawing class will be running for six weeks so there’s still plenty of time to participate. If you missed the first class there’s a link on the Pencil Drawing page where you can watch it again.
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Carole tyrrell
Please tell me how I can access all the courses as unclear
Kerry Rooney
Hi Carole
Just go to Greysnet, go to the Classes section (at the top) click on a class you’d like to join. See the date and time for the class and click on the Zoom link to join the class at that time.
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Mary Keenan
Very interested in some of these,, Thanks so much hope I’m not too late as I see some already started?
Sharron
Thank you 🙏
What better way than to do something that we enjoy 😊
Arti Kumar
I have been doing the Feel Good Moves since the beginning and so enjoy the sessions with Charmaine. I want to thank her for making my Mondays so enjoyable — she is so very uplifting and cheerful.
Doreen Lowe
I am so grateful for these classes. I have been joining zoom cafe with Teresa and feel good moves with Charmaine. since the start. Both quite different but equally good. A Monday morning chat, hosted by the lovely Teresa, with a lovely group of people, particularly during lockdown has been something nice to look forward to. It’s been great to hear from other people about life in there part of the world and ways in which they are coping. Who doesn’t feel their spirits have been lifted by a cuppa and a chat?
The feel good moves with the absolutely delightful Charmaine has been fun but also uplifting for which I am very thankful. In addition to that the exercise is beneficial to us all. I will be so sorry when these sessions end but am thankful that I have been a part of them.
Anthony mc Shane
I am interested in sum classes can you send the link for zoom
Kerry Rooney
Hi Anthony
To take part all you need to do is go to the Classes section of the Greysnet.com website, choose the class you want and use the ZOOM link on the classes page to join the class at the start time. It’s easy and fun so why not give it a go!
Margaret McArdle
Looking forward to some of the classes
Margaret McArdle
Looking forward to classes
Marcella
Best news. Thanks Kerry and all involved.
Carole Tyrrell
CANT FIND SINGING WED CLASS AT GRAYSNET