Creating a Kindspace with Pasna: An Extraordinary Journey Towards Transformative Community Engagement
We recently had the privilege of welcoming Pasna Sallis, a renowned occupational therapist, to the “Create Your Kindspace” podcast. A dynamic woman with an infectious positive energy and a commendable can-do attitude, Pasna has had a remarkable journey as an occupational therapist and founder of the Weekday Wow Factor.
Pasna began her career back in 1999, after earning her Honours BSE from Glasgow Caledonian University. Born in India, she spent her childhood there and in Iran before moving to Scotland. She has travelled the world extensively, and after spending some time in California and India, she finally returned to Glasgow. A solo parent to two wonderful girls who are now teenagers, Pasna’s personal journey has been equally engaging.
Before launching her unique initiative, the Weekday Wow Factor, Pasna worked across different age groups and conditions in NHS Scotland for 19 years, spanning from paediatrics to geriatrics. Her love for occupational therapy stems from its holistic nature and how it significantly impacts people’s lives.
The conception of her charitable initiative, the Weekday Wow Factor, was an outcome of years of active listening to community members, understanding what they seek in life and what defines a satisfying and meaningful existence.
A Holistic Approach to Therapy
In her work, Pasna observed a significant need for more diverse, engaging community activities for older adults, particularly those diagnosed with dementia. This insight led to the creation of innovative health promotion groups that combined exercise with social interaction. Pasna shared one of her experiences in the podcast:
“We had a whole stream of different activities. We had badminton, table tennis, dominoes, and lots of other activities too. I also decided, although this is great for my client group, who were about 15 community members, it would be great to open it up to people who don’t have dementia too. It’s peer to peer intervention and true public health work. I really relished in that. At the time of no social media, it just snowballed. And about a year’s time, we had 70 older adults coming along for gentle exercise at the start, lunch together, and then all these activities.”
The success of these groups fuelled the launch of the Weekday Wow Factor, an initiative designed to provide stimulating, meaningful leisure activities for older adults in the community. She discussed how her work with an individual with dementia inspired her to tap into the existing resources within the community. Pasna explained:
“There was this gentleman who was fairly inactive, and he had health problems. He had difficulty reaching down to go and pick up his socks, for example. But I was trying to get him to engage in some meaningful leisure activities because his family were really concerned that he was socially isolated. I was going through my list of activities that I had for the NHS, and he was saying no to everything. I was thinking, ‘there must be something’. I suddenly came up with tenpin bowling, and I saw the glint in his eye. And I was like, yes, I got you! I know that you want to play at tenpin bowling. So, he agreed to come along to tenpin bowling with me. And the instant transformation was just incredible.”
For individuals with advanced dementia, Pasna discovered the transformative power of music and movement. Day Time Discos, held in fully accessible nightclubs, allowed participants to express themselves freely through dance. Pasna spoke of this unique approach to therapy: “I approached my local nightclubs that I used to attend, like The Garage and some others, and they absolutely loved the idea about giving something back to the community.”
Beyond Dancing: A World of Wow Factor Activities
Yet, Weekday Wow Factor is not just about dancing. It’s a broad programme encompassing a range of activities like rural walks, foraging sessions, nature cooking, and even speed boating and zip sliding. Pasna emphasised the focus on adapting activities to each person, “My job really is to adapt them so that they fit. They’re the right fit for older adults aged 50 and above.”
What has truly made the Weekday Wow Factor special is the community that has grown around it. Friendships have flourished, with participants going on walks, attending theatre performances, and even traveling together. Reflecting on the initiative’s mission, Pasna concludes, “Our mission is that we believe that every older adult should have a right to good quality, fun, exciting leisure activities that enhance health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness in our communities. We want people to make new friends and feel connected to the communities.”
Overcoming Distance with Technology
Even amidst the pandemic, the Weekday Wow Factor found innovative ways to foster connections. “We pivoted to Zoom, daytime discos and chats,” Pasna says. Through this medium, community members from Glasgow made friends all over the UK, and beyond.
Pasna’s hybrid model of operation proved successful. It wasn’t just about connecting people during lockdown, but also about enabling those who were housebound due to physical or mental health reasons to participate. The ability to join activities from their own homes opened new avenues for these individuals. This success story, Pasna stresses, illustrates the importance of maintaining technical skills like using Zoom.
Beyond simple chats, Pasna facilitated extraordinary virtual experiences for her community. “Community members would decide the week before where they wanted to go in the world for a walk or a cycle,” she shares. These virtual adventures ranged from beach walks in Hawaii to pedalling through the Alps, all achieved by combining physical activity with immersive YouTube videos.
This was more than just a fun exercise. It illustrated the potential for technology to open the world for those who may not have the means or the ability to travel.
An Empowering Approach to Ageing
One thing that sets the Weekday Wow Factor apart is its positive risk-taking approach. Pasna firmly believes in the potential of her community members, focusing more on possibilities than risks. She recounts an instance where they took their members strawberry picking – an activity that may seem risky for older individuals but proved to be a joyous and successful day out. It’s this spirit of positivity and potential that has brought Weekday Wow Factor into the limelight.
The innovation and unique approach of Weekday Wow Factor have not gone unnoticed. Pasna has received accolades such as the Point of Light Award from the Prime Minister and was even featured on prime-time TV show Saturday Night Take Away.
While the accolades are appreciated, Pasna emphasises that it’s the community that truly makes the Weekday Wow Factor special. “Without them, it wouldn’t be a community group,” she says, underscoring her commitment to fostering independence and camaraderie among her members.
Co-Designing Community
“We’re all born with the basic need for human connection,” Pasna shares, highlighting the integrative and inclusive aspect of Weekday Wow Factor. The initiative brings together older adults and adults with learning disabilities, breaking down barriers and fostering a bond that is nothing short of incredible.
Pasna underscores the importance of her members’ voices in shaping the Weekday Wow Factor’s direction. Their lived experiences and insights play a key role in co-designing the activities, resulting in an experience that is truly beneficial to them. This approach is what fuels the organisation’s spirit, creating a thriving community that looks out for one another.
Pasna encourages her members to embrace their “inner child,” especially during their free-style discos. She describes this as the ultimate freedom of movement – the freedom to move in response to the beat of the music, the mood of the moment, rather than following instructions. This practice, she believes, allows the community members to explore their creative side, fostering positivity and vitality amongst the group.
Energising the Third Sector
Working in the third sector is not without its challenges. From resource constraints to the competitive nature of funding, Pasna discusses the hurdles that she has faced. Nevertheless, she believes that the third sector is essential in shaping our society. Pasna shared how Weekday Wow Factor has been able to thrive despite these challenges, mainly due to the tireless work of volunteers. These individuals, whom Pasna affectionately calls “Wowers”, have become an integral part of the organisation, often going beyond their designated roles to ensure the success of the activities.
Pasna has a host of exciting developments in the pipeline for Weekday Wow Factor. From exhibitions showcasing the work of the community to launching a new support centre for those with dementia, the organisation continues to expand its scope and reach.
A notable aspect of Weekday Wow Factor’s future plans is the focus on dementia. Pasna shares that they were able to secure funding to tailor their services to support individuals diagnosed with or awaiting diagnosis for dementia. This aligns with the latest national dementia strategy for Scotland, showing that the work of Weekday Wow Factor continues to stay relevant and vital.
Expanding the Reach of Weekday Wow Factor
Weekday Wow Factor has received funding from the National Lottery and has plans to host their uplifting discos in other centres in the north, including Harris, Lewis, Kirriemuir, Fife, and Prestwick in Scotland. They also aim to create inclusive community experiences by inviting people with dementia to these events.
These activities will occur between the present and Christmas. In addition, the organisation has been invited to host a disco at the arts festival and dementia care event in Inverness. This extended tour of Scotland promises to be filled with joyful memories and connections.
Apart from the touring discos, Weekday Wow Factor has teamed up with Glasgow Life to host events in different leisure centres around Glasgow during the upcoming games. They have also collaborated with Carers UK to deliver their first daytime disco over Zoom, specially targeting carers who often perform the vital role of taking care of their loved ones at home. This new initiative runs once a month on Fridays and has been well-received.
Self-care and Adventure: Pasna’s Personal Approach
When asked about her self-care practices, Pasna candidly shared that as a solo parent and an entrepreneur, finding her own space can be challenging. However, when she does manage to find time, she makes the most of it. She enjoys challenging outdoor activities such as camping and paddleboarding, which she describes as exciting, thrilling, and restorative.
She strives to find a balance in her life amid work and personal commitments, preferring not to stick to a rigid routine. Instead, she opts for spontaneous adventures when she can. This adventurous spirit carries over to her professional life, which she describes as being as thrilling as her personal escapades.
Reflection
In her journey, Pasna has shown that a single person’s determination and vision can spark change and inspire countless others. Her work with Weekday Wow Factor continues to challenge the norms and stigma attached to ageing, demonstrating that innovation can create communities that are inclusive, supportive, and vibrant. Despite the hurdles, Pasna’s work showcases how passion and purpose can fuel extraordinary achievements.
While the road may be challenging, it is the smiles, the laughter, and the connections fostered within the community that truly measure the success of Weekday Wow Factor. As Pasna says, “We’re all born with the basic need for human connection,” and it’s clear that Weekday Wow Factor is fulfilling this need in remarkable ways.
Pasna encourages anyone who wishes to support or get involved with Weekday Wow Factor to connect with them through their various channels. These include Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn, and website. The organisation continues to innovate and reach out to those in need, providing not only an entertaining experience but also a much-needed sense of community and connection.
As we all navigate the changing landscapes of our communities, Pasna’s story serves as a potent reminder that innovation, resilience, and a deep sense of community can pave the way for a future where everyone is given the opportunity to thrive.