Everyone at Friends of the Elderly embraces the festive period, making sure it is a very merry time for all the residents and day care clients – and, at Friends Place, the care team pulled out all the Christmas stops to make sure its first Christmastime was a Winter-tastic spectacular and special time for the residents in every way. “Every member of Friends Place’s care team loved making sure that all the residents had a joyful first Christmas and New Year at the care home,” said Alina Gutu, the General Manager at Friends Place. “As it was our first Christmas together – which made it extra special – we hosted a great range of activities and community events, which the residents thoroughly enjoyed. It really was a magical time.”
“The residents and care team got involved in so many fun and festive things,” added Elisha Hall-Jones, the Activities Coordinator at Friends Place. “I created a Christmas events and activities calendar, which I made sure was tailored to meet each residents’ individual needs, likes and preferences. To get the ‘Ho-Ho-Ho’ festive Christmas frivolities underway, the residents took part in a Yuletide music and movement exercise class, and we launched our monthly Community Coffee Mornings. Residents also got ‘Christmassy creative’ adding the festive, finishing touches to the care home, helping the care team to fill the lounge areas with sparkling, twinkling lights and decorating trees with beautiful baubles.”
“One of the highlights in the run up to Christmas Day was a visit to The Hexagon Theatre for a traditional festive favourite – to see a classic pantomime performance of Beauty and The Beast,” added Alina. “It was a real ‘thigh slapping’ Christmas treat.”
“Other ‘tinsel-tastic’ activities to get the residents in the Christmas Spirit included a wonderful morning full of music thanks to a visit from the Calcot School Choir. The children sang beautifully and the residents thoroughly enjoyed their performance, clapping and singing along with the Choir. It was truly heart-warming to see how much joy the Christmas concert brought to the residents. They especially loved chatting to the children and teachers after the show. It’s moments like these that mean so much – creating intergenerational connections are so special,” continued Elisha.
“On Saturday 20th December, Friends Place was magically transformed into Santa’s North Pole Workshop Grotto,” added Alina.
“We were so lucky to have ‘Red One’ himself set up his Grotto at the care home and, together with Mrs Claus and one of their cheeky Elves, meet the residents, their family and friends, our neighbours and members of our community – plus lots of local children.”
“We were also ‘deer-lighted’ that Santa brought two of his Christmas Reindeer with him as well,” continued Elisha. “The whole day was filled with laughter, lots of smiles and Christmas Cheer, plus a ‘Fir-tastic’ performance by The Take Note Tilehurst Choir. It really was a ‘Fa-la-la-la-fabulous’ day.”
To make sure they looked their best for Santa, on Christmas Eve, the residents enjoyed a Pamper Day in the care home’s beauty salon and on Christmas Day, Friends Place’s Chef served up a delicious three course traditional, festive lunch complete with all the trimmings. “It was a truly special day – and a special way – to celebrate our first Christmas at Friends Place. The meal was outstanding and seeing the residents, their families and care team raising their glasses, pulling the crackers and enjoying the scrumptious festive feast really summed up what Friends Place is all about – Community, Family, Warmth, Friendship, Love and Home,” concluded Alina.
Find out more about Friends Place by calling 0118 207 8512 or emailing [email protected] .