THE BIG LUNCH AT HENGROVE LODGE

Residents of AbleCare Homes threw a fab party at Hengrove Lodge for their neighbours to celebrate #thebiglunch and National Care Home Open day on Friday 16 June 2017.

 They also joined the event with their fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society Cupcake Day, a national campaign to raise funds for the valuable work of the society and raised £106.  Lots of support was also provided by Growing Support, an award winning social enterprise whose community volunteers tackle loneliness and the effects of inactivity for people with dementia.    

All the residents came together to welcome children from the local community to decorate cupcakes, get to know each other and enjoy some delicious food.  The benefits of older and younger people spending time together include improved confidence and self esteem, reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation and enjoyment of opportunities to learn and share experiences and ideas.  As you can see from the pictures when our residents and children come together having lots of fun is usually on the agenda too!   The staff team at Hengrove Lodge got involved with some coming in on their day off.  They told me that residents who usually chose not to participate in group activities joined in and had a lovely afternoon.

Hengrove Lodge is one of the first care homes to take part in the Big Lunch - a national community event celebrating community and connections. They had so much fun they're hoping to do it again!  The event was also featured on BBC Radio Bristol.

Since the event a week ago we have arranged another visit from Southern Links Children’s Centre who have told us they have had parents commenting on Facebook that they would like to do a similar visit with their children...a fantastic result, their post was seen by over 1,200 people!  We all intend to use this event as the start of something much bigger that everyone can continue to enjoy.  The organisations involved have all been sharing pictures and stories and the response from the community has been fabulous.

Well done everyone!