Earth scientist launches Care Rocks giving interactive earth science sessions in care homes

An earth scientist is running interactive earth science sessions for residents in care homes exploring the world we live in.

The sessions cover all aspects of earth science including earthquakes, volcanoes, global warming, life on Mars, dinosaurs, fossils, minerals and gemstones.

Prior to founding , Luke Plewes completed a Masters in Geology and then worked in Australia as a geologist.

He came up with the idea after regularly visiting a relative in a care home and helping out with meals on wheels.

“I gained a lot of attention from the residents through my studies as an earth scientist. Everybody would always want to discuss aspects of earth science and current events going on around the world, such as what really is an earthquake and why do volcanoes occur?

“Earth science is the world that we live in and is a fantastic tool for conversation. I then came to realise that there were limited activities on offer to care homes and day care, that really promote learning and discussion about the world we live in.

“I found myself thinking if I was in a care home, I would be wanting more variety to keep my mind stimulated to maintain a strong level of health and wellbeing.”

Shortly after, he set up Care Rocks “to ultimately challenge this lack of learning activity, by providing unique earth science outreach sessions within the care sector.

“I am very passionate that people in care can still learn and question the world. After running sessions in multiple care homes, it became apparent very quickly that there are a lot of people with brains in care even those with the onset of dementia.”

Currently, the earth science company covers the North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, North West and the East and West Midlands.

Discussing earth science in a fun hands-on way through experiments and demonstrations, offers varying levels of mental stimulation to suit each individual. Residents really get a chance to question the world and remember what they loved about learning, according to Mr Plewes.

The talks, which are all held by professional scientists, are supported by demonstrations, specimens and maps.

Mr Plewes says: “Each rock on earth holds a unique story waiting to be shared. Understanding the basic principles of geology through these samples offers varying levels of mental stimulation to suit each individual.

“By looking through worldwide samples together, residents really get a feel for exploring the world by either reminiscing about places they have been to or fantasizing over prospective travelling. This brings a welcome breath of fresh air to the residents.”

At one of the care homes, 102-year-old William, revealed how he had always been fascinated about dinosaurs.

“He showed great enthusiasm in the session ‘What actually is a fossil?’ and boasted a constant smile throughout. We showed him specimens that you wouldn’t see in a normal day and he was quite intrigued and told of being thoroughly grateful for being part of the session. He expressed how his favourite aspect of the session was looking at dinosaur fossils and understanding where he would have to go in the UK to find them and possibly undiscovered ones.”

During another session ‘What really is mining?’ care home resident Florence reminisced about when her husband used to work down in the copper and coal mines and how he would bring her samples back, of this beautiful ‘peacock ore rock’.

“She built up quite a collection and told of how she made a beautiful water feature out of it. It was an absolute pleasure seeing the joy on her face, as we looked together at the samples and maps and how she got to talk about her late husband. She also couldn’t believe what she did not know about mining and what else Britain has to offer,” revealed Mr Plewes.

A manager of one of the care homes visited by Care Rocks has found the sessions to be extremely beneficial to residents as they are “unique and promote learning”

She says: “There are a lot of brains in care homes as many residents used to be professionals. Just because they need care assistance does not mean they are all incapable of learning. This activity is paramount to our schedule as it gets the residents talking. Even our Alzheimer suffers are lifted by the sense of something quirky and different.”

For more information about Care Rocks go to www.carerocks.co.uk