21 December 2022
As the Christmas festivities get into full swing, we’ve asked our colleagues across the country to let us know how they’re celebrating with their residents this festive season. From Christmas jumpers to special visits from Santa, our communities are well and truly making the most of this holiday season.
A time for giving
Christmas jumpers are a prominent part of any festive celebration. That’s why for this year’s Christmas Jumper Day, FirstPort colleagues and residents put on their Christmas jumpers to raise money for charities across the country. Residents, relatives, and their pets, at The Vineries in Hove donned Christmas jumpers for the day and raised over £100 for Save The Children. While Allandale Court in Somerset raised over £190 for their local hospice.
A special visit
Parkside Court in Norfolk had a visit from Santa. It certainly lit up the faces of residents during their Christmas lunch celebrations.
But it wasn’t just Parkside Court where Santa decided to make an appearance. He was also spotted by residents at Tembani Court in Paignton.
Christmas music with a twist
Residents at Homepier House in Worthing thoroughly enjoyed kicking off the Christmas season earlier this month with a visit from a ukulele band. The band, known as The Sundown Ukulele Band, performs in retirement developments across the UK and helps raise money for charities. The performance included Christmas classics such as Jingle Bells and Let it Snow.
Commenting on the visit, resident Chantal said:
“Thank you for all your efforts and consideration in organising the ukulele band – it was a wonderful morning.”
Homethwaite House in Keswick, Cumbria, also had a visit from their local Bell Ringers group. The group, who have been visiting the development each Christmas for the past 10 years, sang carols and told stories and jokes to residents, who were later given the chance to have a go at the bell ringing. The carol singing finished off with a cup of tea and mince pies.
Let it Snow!
With a sprinkle or two of snow this festive season, we loved seeing Frozen’s Olaf appear in The Odyssey’s communal gardens – all thanks to some very clever and creative residents.
