SubscribeA new initiative between Tall Trees and U3A will see residents at the supported living neighborhood having regular all-in ukulele jam sessions.
U3A was formed in 1986, and provides leisure and educational courses to local seniors. The Brisbane chapter is one of many around Australia and runs over 190 courses per year.
U3A’s first ukulele demonstration will be on 24 November at Tall Trees Tanah Merah, which is open to the supported living neighbourhood’s residents as well as other U3A students.
Tall Trees Lifestyle Coordinator Kay Colenso says the initiative provides myriad benefits for participants.
“It’s a great opportunity to get involved even if you aren’t musically inclined, because the ukulele is quite an easy instrument to learn,” Ms Colenso says.
“Gathering the residents and the public for music lessons is a fantastic way to further build social interaction while ensuring motor skills are being exercised.
“It’s well known that learning a musical instrument helps to stimulate brain activity and can positively affect other areas of learning—we feel this is a simple and fun way of ensuring the ongoing mental health and happiness of our residents.”
Ms Colenso says she believes many residents will be excited to participate—particularly given the popularity of previous courses at the neighbourhood.
“Teachers from U3A already visit the neighbourhood holding classes for cryptic crosswords, canasta, and Mah Jong among many others,” she says.
“Whatever it may be, their classes consistently bring a lot of happiness to the residents of Tall Trees Tenah Merah—we expect the ukulele classes will be big a hit both with our residents and the seniors from the community.”
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