Reviving the Pioneer Spirit
Making the Invisible Visible: Soft Skills Through Creative Making
One-day hands-on workshop for older adults: crafts, technology and soft skills in practice.
Overview
What has been done
The local action tested how creative making can help older adults recognise and discuss soft skills. The one-day workshop took place at FabLab Bielsko-Biała with participants from the Senior Academy at the Wiktoria Kubisz Cultural Centre. Participants were introduced to soft skills and personal strengths, while soft-skills word search sheets were available throughout the session for voluntary use. The sheets included competencies hidden among letters, helping participants approach the topic in an easy and playful way. The main activities included candle making and decorating 3D-printed Christmas ornaments, accompanied by informal conversations. The workshop ended with a guided reflection on participants’ own strengths, development areas and soft skills noticed in others.
Why was it needed locally
The pilot addressed a local need to create accessible opportunities for older adults to reflect on their soft skills in a practical and informal setting. Older adults often have strong interpersonal competences developed through life and work experience, but they do not always recognise or name them as valuable skills. The action aimed to make these skills more visible by combining creative activities with simple guided reflection. It also used the potential of FabLab Bielsko-Biała as a community space.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Adult training centre – Participants from the Senior Academy operating at the Wiktoria Kubisz Cultural Centre in Bielsko-Biała.
Activation: We activated the target group through a direct invitation via the Senior Academy at the Wiktoria Kubisz Cultural Centre, using an already trusted local structure. The friendly FabLab setting, festive hands-on activities and simple reflection tasks helped participants feel comfortable, engaged and willing to discuss soft skills.
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Direct invitation through the Senior Academy at the Wiktoria Kubisz Cultural Centre.
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Accessible one-day format with a clear and practical workshop structure.
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Friendly FabLab setting designed to reduce barriers to participation.
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Hands-on activities adapted to the interests and abilities of older adults.
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Simple reflection tools, including soft-skills word search sheets and guided group reflection.
Benefit: Participants benefited by taking part in an accessible, hands-on workshop that helped them recognise and name their own soft skills in a friendly setting. They also had the opportunity to discover FabLab tools and creative technologies while spending meaningful time together and reflecting on lifelong learning.
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Recognised and named their own soft skills more easily.
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Reflected on personal strengths and areas for further development.
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Connected everyday behaviours with skills such as communication, cooperation and openness.
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Experienced FabLab tools and creative technologies in an accessible way.
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Gained confidence in talking about their abilities and personal resources.
Resources Required
Staff
Staff skilled in group facilitation, participant engagement and explaining simple maker tasks.
2-3 staff days
Space
Regional Development Agency: FabLab Bielsko-Biała - training room + workshop space
Equipment
Candle-making supplies including wax, wicks, containers, warmers, dyes, fragrances, decorative additives, thermometers and table protection.
Budget
Small: below 2,000 €
Budget of ~400 € covering workshop materials, preparation and organisational costs; venue and FabLab equipment provided by the organiser.
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Workshop:
The action was delivered as a one-day creative workshop combining hands-on making with simple reflection on soft skills. Participants made candles, decorated 3D-printed Christmas ornaments, used soft-skills word search sheets and joined guided discussions in a friendly FabLab setting.
Methods used: Hands-on Creative Making: Participants learned and reflected through simple practical tasks, including candle making and decorating 3D-printed ornaments. The making process created a relaxed setting for cooperation, curiosity and informal exchange.Guided Soft Skills Reflection: Participants were first asked what they understood by soft skills and how they recognised them in everyday situations. At the end of the workshop, they were asked to name their strongest soft skills and identify those they would like to develop or strengthen. The reflection was supported by simple questions and group discussion rather than formal training.
Soft Skills Word Search: Pre-printed word search sheets with hidden soft-skill terms were available during the workshop. They helped participants approach the topic in an easy and playful way.
Steps taken
Preparation, Outreach and Setup
Before the workshop
- Participant outreach: Reach the target group through a trusted local partner, community organisation or existing group structure.
- Workshop planning: Prepare a simple agenda, define the timing of each part and clarify the role of each facilitator.
- Administrative preparation: Prepare an attendance list, consent forms or other documentation if required by the organiser or project.
- Material preparation: Prepare all creative materials, printed reflection tools and any pre-made objects needed for the hands-on tasks in advance.
- Space and comfort setup: Arrange tables, workstations, tools name tags, seating arrangements and basic refreshments to support a friendly and low-stress atmosphere.
Welcome, Registration and Introduction
Beginning of the workshop
- Arrival and registration: Welcome participants, collect signatures on the attendance list and gather photo/video consent forms if required; help them settle into the space.
- Name tags and informal welcome: Provide name tags or name stickers so participants and facilitators can address each other by name.
- Facilitator introduction: Facilitators introduce themselves, their roles and how they will support participants during the workshop.
- Participant introduction: Invite participants to briefly introduce themselves in a simple, low-pressure way.
- Workshop opening: Present the agenda, explain the aim of the session and introduce the link between making and soft skills.
Soft-Skills Introduction and Warm-Up
Early part of the workshop
- Opening soft-skills question: Ask participants what they understand by soft skills and where they notice them in everyday life.
- Simple explanation: Explain soft skills using clear, everyday examples such as communication, cooperation, openness, curiosity and self-confidence.
- Voluntary word search activity: Make pre-printed word search sheets with hidden soft-skill terms available for participants to use whenever they wish.
- Gentle topic focus: Use the word search sheets to help participants approach the topic in an easy and playful way, without formal testing or pressure.
- Informal group exchange: Allow participants to share examples, associations or questions before moving into the hands-on making part.
Hands-On Creative Making
Main part of the workshop
- Task explanation: Explain the practical making tasks step by step, using simple and clear instructions.
- Candle making: Guide participants in creating their own candles with prepared materials and facilitator support.
- Creative personalisation: Invite participants to decorate or personalise objects, such as pre-made or 3D-printed ornaments.
- Support during making: Provide individual help when needed and make sure all participants can complete the tasks comfortably.
- Informal soft-skills observation: Encourage natural conversation and observe how participants communicate, cooperate, ask questions and support each other during the activity.
Reflection and Closing
End of the workshop
- Personal soft-skills reflection: Ask participants to name their strongest soft skills and identify skills they would like to develop or strengthen.
- Reflection on the making process: Invite participants to connect the hands-on activities with behaviours such as communication, cooperation, curiosity, patience or initiative.
- Recognising skills in others: Ask participants to share which soft skills they noticed in other group members during the workshop.
- Feedback collection: Collect short feedback on the workshop format, atmosphere, activities and usefulness.
- Closing and next steps: Thank participants, summarise key takeaways and ask whether they would be interested in similar future activities.
Follow-up and Documentation
After the workshop
- Documentation review: Collect attendance lists, photos, feedback notes and facilitator observations for reporting.
- Lessons learned: Summarise what worked well, what should be improved and whether the format can be repeated.
- Follow-up planning: Use participant feedback and interest to plan possible future workshops or adaptations for other groups.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- Improved transversal skills: All eight participants, who were older adults, became more aware of soft skills such as communication, cooperation, openness, curiosity and self-awareness. By the end of the workshop, most were able to name their own strengths, identify skills they would like to develop and recognise soft skills in others.
- Improved maker skills: Participants gained practical experience in simple maker activities, including candle making and decorating 3D-printed Christmas ornaments. They also became more familiar with the FabLab environment and creative technologies such as 3D printing.
- Stakeholder awareness / network extensions: The action strengthened awareness of FabLab Bielsko-Biała as an accessible space for community learning, creativity and personal development. It also connected the Regional Development Agency, FabLab and the Senior Academy around a practical format that can be repeated or adapted in the future.
Indirect Impacts
The workshop showed how FabLab spaces can support creativity, soft skills awareness and openness to new technologies among later-life learners. It helped participants name their strengths and reflect on further development. The action also fostered cooperation between the Regional Development Agency, FabLab and the Senior Academy. As an enduring structure, it established a replicable one-day format combining making, discussion and guided reflection.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Repeating the workshop format: The Regional Development Agency and FabLab Bielsko-Biała plan to repeat the one-day workshop format with other groups of older adults. The format is suitable for different simple maker activities while keeping the same soft skills reflection structure.
- Developing a workshop series: Based on the positive feedback, the partners see potential to develop the format into a small cycle of creative workshops. Each session could focus on different soft skills, such as communication, cooperation, self-confidence or initiative.
- Expanding to intergenerational groups: Looking ahead, the format offers strong potential for mixed-age groups, supporting intergenerational exchange through hands-on making, new technologies and shared reflection between different community groups.
- Using the format as a local good practice: Further ideas under internal discussion include sharing the action as a good practice example and presenting the format to local cultural, educational and community institutions interested in accessible lifelong learning.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participants were very satisfied with the workshop and responded positively to both the creative and reflective parts. They appreciated the friendly atmosphere, hands-on activities and the chance to discover the FabLab space. Candle making, decorating 3D-printed ornaments and discussing soft skills were seen as engaging and accessible. Several participants expressed interest in similar future activities.
Satisfaction - Details
- 100% participant satisfaction: 100% of participants declared satisfaction with the workshop. They appreciated the friendly atmosphere, hands-on activities and the opportunity to discover the FabLab space.
- Increased soft skills awareness: At the beginning, participants found it difficult to define soft skills and identify their own strengths. By the end, most were more able to name their strong soft skills, identify areas for development and recognise soft skills in others.
- Interest in repetition: Participants expressed clear interest in similar future activities. This suggests that the combination of creative making, informal discussion and guided reflection was accessible and relevant for the target group.
Transfer Hints
- Combine making with reflection: Use simple hands-on activities as a starting point for talking about soft skills. This makes an abstract topic easier to understand and helps participants connect soft skills with real behaviours during the workshop.
- Create a friendly, low-pressure atmosphere: Make sure the setting feels welcoming, informal and safe for participants. This is important because people may find it difficult to talk about their own strengths if the format feels too formal or evaluative.
- Use a trusted local partner to reach participants: Work with an existing community organisation, cultural centre or local group that already has contact with the target audience. This helps build trust and makes participation easier.
- Include guided reflection at the beginning and end: Start by asking participants what they understand by soft skills, and close by asking them to name their strengths and development areas. This gives the activity a clear learning structure without turning it into formal training.
- Change the maker activity: The core method does not depend on candle making or Christmas ornaments. Other regions can use any simple, accessible creative task, as long as it allows participants to make something and interact with others.
- Adapt the target group: The format can be used with seniors, other community groups or mixed-age groups, such as seniors and young people. The key is to adapt the language, pace and tasks to the group’s needs.
- Adjust the technology level: A FabLab or makerspace is useful, but the activity does not need to be technically advanced. Simple tools, pre-made objects or basic digital technologies can be enough if they support curiosity and discussion.
- Modify the reflection tools: Word search sheets worked well in this case, but other simple tools can also be used. For example, regions could use cards, pictures, short prompts or group exercises to introduce soft skills in an accessible way.
- Do not make the tasks too complex: Avoid activities that require advanced technical skills or too many instructions. If participants feel overwhelmed, they may focus on completing the task instead of reflecting on soft skills.
- Do not skip the reflection part: Making alone is not enough to activate soft skills awareness. Facilitators need to connect the hands-on activity with communication, cooperation, curiosity, confidence and other soft skills.
- Do not use overly abstract language: Soft skills should be explained through everyday examples and simple questions. Too much formal terminology can make the topic feel distant or intimidating.
- Do not rush the process: Leave enough time for introduction, making, informal conversation and reflection. The soft skills element becomes visible mainly through interaction, so participants need time to feel comfortable.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
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Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Agnieszka Kowejsza (PP07 ARRSA)
Phone: +48 600784414
Email: kowejsza.agnieszka@gmail.com
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
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This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative