Brits have listed the hobbies and skills they feel are dying out due to technology taking over – including writing letters, use of correct grammar and mental maths.
A poll of 2,000 adults found reading a map, using a compass, and even simple handwriting are high within the top 50 list of lost talents – while others rarely knit, tie knots, make bread, or wash clothes by hand.
Almost eight in ten adults (77%) blame the sophistications of modern technology for many traditional skills and hobbies being dropped.
While two-thirds (66%) think today’s generations aren’t interested in learning things like identifying plants and insects, sewing on a button, or even spelling.
A further 52% said some old-fashioned skills simply aren’t needed anymore, while 36% reckon there are less people to teach them.
Suzanne Mumford, dementia expert at residential care provider Care UK, which carried out the research, said: “Over time, many of us have become reliant on technology. After all, why pick the hard way when there’s an easier option to do things?
“Residents in our care homes grew up in a very different era, without apps or technology, meaning many of them have a wealth of skills and hobbies that are now considered to be on the decline – which is why we’ve launched our “Long Lost Hobbies” initiative.
“We have so much to learn from older people, so we wanted to give residents in our care an opportunity to pass on these essential skills to the younger generations and stop some hobbies from being lost along the way.”
The study found many adults no longer have the ability to preserve food, make jams and spreads, or learn another language.
While three in ten reckon they can’t spell without the assistance of technology, and one in four (24%) are unable to use basic grammar.
A further third don’t think they can follow or give directions without the use of Google Maps or Sat Nav, while 32% would struggle to map read.
Straightforward mathematics and budgeting are also lost on today’s society, due to the use of online calculators and tools.
And while 47% said they would love to learn new skills, only a quarter (24%) admit they would do it the “old fashioned way”.
It also emerged the average person, polled via OnePoll, thinks people will be just 10 years old before they rely solely on technology to do things previously done without.
According to 70% of adults, people are becoming heavily reliant on technology, and just under half think search engines have eradicated the need for people to ask questions.
Although one in four are still trying to keep certain skills and arts alive by teaching them to others.
Suzanne added: “There seems to be a desire still to keep hobbies such as baking, knitting and gardening alive – all of which remain incredibly popular in our homes.
“And some respondents seem to resent the fact technology is dominating life – but the only way to keep these wonderful skills alive is to make the effort to fact-find, be creative, use your imagination and take time out to learn and enjoy, or reach out to a parent, grandparent or older friend.
“Older generations often have a wealth of knowledge, and I’m sure they’d be more than happy to share.”
In a bid to prevent hobbies and skills from being lost over time and give them a new lease of life, Care UK has launched the nationwide campaign “Long Lost Hobbies”, to tap into thousands of older people’s expertise and knowledge.
As part of the initiative, residents across the UK are revisiting favourite hobbies from their younger years, and sharing their skills with the younger generation.
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TOP 50 LOST SKILLS AND HOBBIES:
- Writing letters
- Map reading
- Knowing proper grammar
- Mental maths
- Remembering phone numbers
- Using a compass
- Handwriting
- Handwashing clothes
- Making a fire from scratch
- Stamp collecting
- Sewing/making clothes yourself
- Spelling
- Wiring a plug yourself
- Calligraphy
- Preserving food – such as pickling
- Sewing on a button yourself
- Making your own jam
- Making your own cheese
- Tying knots
- Knitting
- Identifying different plants, trees or insects
- Changing a tyre yourself
- Making your own bread by hand
- Remembering addresses
- Using an index in a book
- Giving directions
- Remembering dates
- Reading music
- Carpentry
- Baking a cake by hand
- Pottery making
- Storytelling
- Cooking something from memory
- Reading
- Putting up a shelf yourself
- Critical thinking
- Time keeping
- Caring for chickens
- Speaking/learning another language
- Budgeting
- Creative writing
- Finding facts
- Following instructions
- Caring for plants
- Gardening
- Following a recipe
- Drawing
- Fishing
- Taking photos
- Editing photos yourself
