October is here, the leaves are falling from the trees and the temperature has dropped a few degrees, it is time to look out the hats and scarves to wrap up and keep warm.
October marks Black History Month, an opportunityto celebrate the contribution of Black individuals to our society, and to educate ourselves on Black history and achievements throughout the world and throughout the decades.
We also celebrate National Poetry Day, reach for the stars during World Space Week, mark the major Hindu festivalDiwali, and tie up the month some spooky activities for Halloween!
Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
October is Black History Month. It offers a great chance to celebrate Black culture and to educate everyone on important Black figures from history, as well as an opportunity to discuss changing attitudes over the years in a positive way. You can download the Black History Month resource pack from the official website here
THE BIG DRAW FESTIVAL
The Big Draw Festival is the worlds largest celebration of drawing, and this year it celebrates its 25th anniversary! Each year, The Big Draw Festival aims to bring people together through the power of creativity by providing a platform to explore drawing in all its forms. Many of your residents may have a talent for drawing, and many will simply enjoy the act of drawing as an activity.
NATIONAL POETRY DAY (2nd Oct)
National Poetry Day is a beautiful celebration of poetry and poets from across the decades. Many of your residents may remember poems they learned at school and may still be able to recite some of that poetry today. Words and poems can evoke many memories and can be a great reminiscence tool.
WORLD SPACE WEEK (4th – 10th Oct)
World Space Week is an annual holiday that takes place each October across the world. The week is an international celebration of science and technology, and the exploration of space. It offers a great opportunity to reminisce about stargazing, astronomy, learning about the planets and exploring the final frontier. Some residents may have dreamed of growing up to be astronauts following the Moon landing in 1969, too.
WORLD ANIMAL DAY (4th Oct)
Annually on October 4, people across the world unite for World Animal Day, raising awareness and taking action for animals. World Animal Day brings a great chance to chat about wild animals mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. This years theme is: Save Animals, Save The Planet. You can discuss endangered species, trips to the zoo, and discover if any of your residents owned any exotic pets!
JOHN LENNON BORN (9th Oct)
John Lennon was born on 9th October 1940. He was part of the biggest pop group of the 1960s, The Beatles! The Beatles dominated the charts across the globe in the 60s and their songs are still sung decades later! This is a great opportunity to celebrate The Beatles and enjoy some lively singalongs with your residents.
DIWALI (18th – 23rd Oct)
Diwali is the annual Hindu Festival of Lights. It is celebrated every year in October or November, as the dates change according to phases of the Moon. The festival lasts five days and this year it takes place from 18th to 23rd October, with the main celebrations occurring at the end of the third day (20th October). This is a great opportunity to celebrate Diwali with all of your residents.
HALLOWEEN (31st Oct)
Halloween is a fun and exciting day, filled with black cats, pumpkins, Halloween treats and spooky stories! It’s a great day to get your residents involved in some spooky art activities, or to make some Halloween-themed crispy cakes or meringue ghosts! Take turns telling some spooky stories or Halloween jokes, and enjoy your own ‘trick or treat’ afternoon!
