Christa Feld is already in a good mood on the way to the "Silberschmiede". The sky is blue, walking with the rollator is not so difficult today, and there's a change in the daily routine. "I'm retired and no longer in the workshop. It's nicer here than at home. Yes, yes," she says, smiling mischievously. The 25 or so women and men with disabilities who use the "Silberschmiede" programme for older people agree.
Bethel - Homemade tastes best
The varied programme is impressive. "We bake, cook, sing, embroider, do handicrafts, gymnastics and sometimes go on excursions," says Christa Feld. She has just decided to join a group that cooks together. A hearty vegetable soup is on the menu. She sets to work skilfully. Her peeler glides effortlessly over a thick potato. The other women are chopping carrots and leeks. Only the man in the group says: "Kitchen work? No! I'm retired after all." He's not alone in his attitude: "The older men are happy to help with the food, but when it comes to cooking..." says Bethel employee Stefanie Ameling with a laugh. Yet it helps to maintain physical and mental abilities.
Little by little, the bowls fill up. 70-year-old Christa Feld chops some more parsley so that the fresh, fragrant greens flavour the soup. She used to cook together with her husband Hans-Dieter, whom she met at Bethel. "We got married and lived together. That was a wonderful time. But he passed away." She now lives in assisted living. From there, it's just a stone's throw to the "Silberschmiede". The elderly lady knows her way around the village well, as she was only nine years old when she came to Bethel because of her epilepsy. Her favourite memories are of her work in the sewing and hand weaving workshops: “That was nice. But it's the same here in the ”Silberschmiede" workshop!"
Text: Heike Lepkojis | Photos: Matthias Cremer
This story simply told
Christa Feld is looking forward to the "Silberschmiede", a programme offered by the Neue Schmiede leisure and cultural centre for older people with disabilities. Around 25 participants bake, cook and do handicrafts together there. Christa lives in assisted living, appreciates the socialising and fondly remembers her earlier days at Bethel.
Would you like to find out more?
Contact
Bethel.regional
Silberschmiede
in the Neue Schmiede leisure and cultural centre
Handwerkerstr. 7
33617 Bielefeld
05211445973
Offers & services
The Silberschmiede offers older people with disabilities a daily structure and programmes for active leisure activities. The wishes and interests of the senior citizens are taken into account when planning the programme. The activities on offer include handicrafts and creative design, themed afternoons with film and music, baking and cooking, walks and a morning round with the daily newspaper.
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