12th-Nov-23, 06:29 PM
Ken - I think that would be a great start!
I appreciate that accomodation for seniors is different around the world. Even in the UK, a small care home like Greystoke Manor is just one type of setting.
We also have warden-assisted (or 'sheltered') accomodation - either as blocks of 50-100 flats or even bigger 'retirement villages' - all having a communal area for events and entertainment. And then there are old people's centres and lunch / activity groups for seniors who still live relatively independently in the community.
An informal club for seniors could easily be set up in sheltered accomodation or at an old people's centre. Although what I did at the care home is always an option in any setting.
Thinking globally, I think three things are important...
1) Focusing on a slot car brand that was familar back in the 60s in your country - Scalextric in the UK, Aurora HO in North America, Carrera in central Europe. To be honest 'slot car' doesn't often mean much to anyone beyond our circle of die-hard enthusiasts.
2) Any set-up accomodates the needs of elderly people - a low table where people can race sitting down (or in a wheelchair), wireless controllers, a simple track with good visibility, brightly-coloured cars, a way of limiting power / top speed, a simple practice & race format, keeping the racing part of the activity to no more than 45-60 minutes.
3) Think about the non-racing stuff - including slot car / motorsport memorabilia from the 50s & 60s - and have plenty of slot car / motorsport stories to tell, plus encourage participants to share their own memories. Show & tell works great even for those who don't want to (or physically can't) race.
I guess there's also the issue of this being strictly a voluntary 'giving-something-back' exercise, albeit maybe being offered a small payment for 'expenses'. As soon as any active promotion or canvassing for a service or business is introduced, then it becomes something else entirely. Issues of liability insurance, safeguarding, electrical safely etc then all fall on you rather than the establishment that has invited you in. Plus everything else to do with running a business! That's why having clubs involved in this would be perfect.
I appreciate that accomodation for seniors is different around the world. Even in the UK, a small care home like Greystoke Manor is just one type of setting.
We also have warden-assisted (or 'sheltered') accomodation - either as blocks of 50-100 flats or even bigger 'retirement villages' - all having a communal area for events and entertainment. And then there are old people's centres and lunch / activity groups for seniors who still live relatively independently in the community.
An informal club for seniors could easily be set up in sheltered accomodation or at an old people's centre. Although what I did at the care home is always an option in any setting.
Thinking globally, I think three things are important...
1) Focusing on a slot car brand that was familar back in the 60s in your country - Scalextric in the UK, Aurora HO in North America, Carrera in central Europe. To be honest 'slot car' doesn't often mean much to anyone beyond our circle of die-hard enthusiasts.
2) Any set-up accomodates the needs of elderly people - a low table where people can race sitting down (or in a wheelchair), wireless controllers, a simple track with good visibility, brightly-coloured cars, a way of limiting power / top speed, a simple practice & race format, keeping the racing part of the activity to no more than 45-60 minutes.
3) Think about the non-racing stuff - including slot car / motorsport memorabilia from the 50s & 60s - and have plenty of slot car / motorsport stories to tell, plus encourage participants to share their own memories. Show & tell works great even for those who don't want to (or physically can't) race.
I guess there's also the issue of this being strictly a voluntary 'giving-something-back' exercise, albeit maybe being offered a small payment for 'expenses'. As soon as any active promotion or canvassing for a service or business is introduced, then it becomes something else entirely. Issues of liability insurance, safeguarding, electrical safely etc then all fall on you rather than the establishment that has invited you in. Plus everything else to do with running a business! That's why having clubs involved in this would be perfect.
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