Outline:
A Community of Connection and Creativity
Beyond the activities at a “Clay and Calm” programme for senior citizens in Ipoh, Perak, lies a broader impact—friendship, purpose, and the joy of learning something new. For many among the 80-plus participants, it was more than just a ceramics workshop. The five-day programme at UTC Perak Senior Citizens’ Activity Centre (PAWE) in Waller Court flats became a space to share stories, rediscover creativity, and strengthen social bonds, all while nurturing mental well-being and fine motor skills.
Rosnah Alwi, 64, from Bercham, has been a member of the centre for two years and treasures the community. The former officer at a government-linked company left the workforce at 49 to focus on family and now runs a hamper business. She said, “Here, we meet friends, stay active and keep our minds open. It is one big family, and we help each other, cook together, and I even gain new customers through the friendships we make.”
Lim Gwi Suan, 84, a retired music school teacher who lives with her daughter, joined PAWE before it was relocated. It was previously housed at Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Perak building but moved to Waller Court flats early this year. Though Lim now relies on e-hailing to get around, she still makes it to the centre three times a week. She shared, “There are so many interesting programmes, like sewing, clay work, and daily exercises. The most important thing is the exercise, but also the trips we go on together.”
Azmi Ali, 68, a retired postal supervisor from Kampung Manjoi, joined PAWE on the encouragement of his wife who was already a member. He enjoys the cycling and aerobic exercises and now learns ceramics for the first time. After retirement, he did not want to just sit at home. “Here, I make friends and try new activities,” he said, adding that he has been a member for five years.
K. Kamala, 62, also enjoys the family vibe at PAWE, having been a member for eight years and now attending sessions five days a week. The former cleaner from Taman Pinji Mewah, Lahat, said, “PAWE is like a big family. No matter our race, we are like brothers and sisters here. Even if I feel sad, when I get here I forget my worries as we give each other advice and support. This is a place of connection, learning and shared laughter.”
For Kuldeep Kaur, 67, the “Clay and Calm” programme was just the latest in a string of activities that have coloured her life. A former administrator who worked in the private sector, she was encouraged by friends to join the centre two years ago. “They told me it would be interesting, a good way to spend time and get to know people. I am happy to be here. I have learned so many new things, like cooking different dishes, picking up new languages, playing games, exercises, ceramics and sewing.”
Building Inclusivity
UTC Perak PAWE chairman Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said the ceramics workshop was part of an initiative aimed at promoting creativity, community bonding, and economic empowerment among seniors. She explained that the programme was not only about making pottery but also fostering stronger ties among the multiracial senior citizen community and giving them something meaningful and creative to do.
She said her aim was to keep the seniors’ minds active, their spirits high, and eventually, even help generate a source of income for them. “This centre is one of the few in the country with a truly multiracial membership—Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Punjabis, among others. We have about 200 members. Since relocating, we continue to run daily activities, Monday through Friday. These include morning aerobics, handicraft workshops, cooking classes, religious and moral talks, flower arrangement, and festive celebrations such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas.”
The centre also collaborates with local groups for joint events. With many senior citizens not having a regular income and some relying on children and grandchildren for financial support, Tan said programmes like these could help them develop products that could be marketed locally and even internationally.
Creative Therapy
Perak Ceramic Art Association (Persera) chairman Mohd Shukri Hashim, who led the workshop, said the class was designed to introduce the elderly to the art of ceramics while encouraging creativity, hand coordination, and mental engagement. Participants worked on sculpting a Vespa model from clay, a project chosen for its moderate complexity. “Making a Vespa is a bit challenging because it involves several ceramic techniques like pinching, kneading, and shaping. If we had chosen something simpler like a vase, it would only require one basic technique. This way, the seniors get to try multiple skills.”
Mohd Shukri said the way people created their ceramic piece could reveal their thought processes, creativity, personality, and even motor skills. “Beyond crafting a decorative piece, the activity also serves as a form of art therapy.”
Games with Meaning
The five-day programme also saw Sunshine Qualicare, a social enterprise dedicated to training caregivers, organizing games designed to improve physical coordination, memory, and focus. Managing director Sarina Mohamed Mokhtar said the organization’s core mission was to train caregivers, families, and local groups to better support bedridden patients, particularly the elderly, and people with disabilities.
“Our activities are fun but they are also functional, as we want the elderly to not only enjoy themselves while playing but also learn games that can easily be replicated at home or within the community,” she said. One exercise improved hand dexterity and body balance, particularly for hemiplegics (those paralysed on one side of the body). Another is a colourful memory game aimed at those with dementia.
Attention on Ageing
Perak Women and Community Development Secretariat director Jamilah Zakaria, who launched the programme, said the state aimed to promote social well-being and inclusion through inter-generational programmes to bridge the gap between young and old. The initiative aligned with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 development plan that prioritized inclusive programmes for vulnerable groups.
Jamilah noted successful examples from Japan, where elderly citizens remain active and mobile due to strong community support systems. She advocates for a similar model in Perak, where local leaders and volunteers can help seniors stay connected and supported. “At present, much of the elderly engagement ecosystem in Perak is anchored by PAWE, with its focus on activities and awareness. The state government supplements these efforts with funding and on-the-ground programme support.”
Awareness was essential, she said, as public understanding was the foundation for long-term sustainability. “When communities appreciate the needs of seniors, the case for caregiver training, home-based support, and inclusive design becomes self-evident.”