Positivi-trees

Time

PDF Resource

4 3 2 1 Early-Mid Stages

Benefits

Participants

One to One, Self Led or Group Activity

What you need

Positivi-trees template – download resource
Coloured pens and pencils

Intro

This engaging activity, designed by artist Lorna Wilkes, was first introduced at Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire group. It's a beautiful way for people living with dementia, along with their friends, family, and carers, to capture and celebrate the important aspects of their lives.

Participants begin with a sheet printed with leaf shapes, which they fill in with things they enjoy seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. They can write or draw images and add colour to the leaves if they wish. This activity helps highlight the positives in everyday life. Once completed, the leaves can be cut out and attached to a branch for display or combined to create a family or community "Happiness Tree," as done by the Hartlebury Dementia Meeting Centre group.

Ideal for small groups of two or more, this activity encourages sharing and comparing favourite things, making it a delightful and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

**Positiviti-trees activity created by artist Lorna Wilkes and credit to Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire for allowing this to be shared with the Relish community. **

The Activity

1. Gather your group and explain the purpose of the activity.
2. Start with a chat over a cup of tea about favourite things. This can help everyone think more naturally about what they enjoy.
3. Offer suggestions if anyone seems to be struggling to think of ideas.
4. Show a completed sheet to inspire others.
5. Hand out the leaf templates for participants to capture their favourites on paper.
6. Lay out a variety of coloured pens or pencils for participants to use.
7. Encourage everyone to fill in any leaves in any order they prefer.
8. Once finished, they can colour their favourite leaves from each list, or colour all of them if they wish.
9. Encourage everyone to share their favourites with the group.
10. Cut out the leaves and hang them on twigs to display in a vase.
11. The leaves can be displayed in a small vase as a representation of an individual’s favourites.
12. Alternatively, use more twigs and a larger vase to create a "Happiness Tree."

PDF Resource