Dishing up Christmas lunch for the elderly

A team of local volunteers rallied round to ensure that a group of people living with dementia did not miss out on their festive celebrations.

It looked like the annual Christmas lunch would have to be cancelled for local group Always Active, who support people living with dementia in Cheshire East as they were able to take them out due to Covid restrictions

However, when local couple Julie Bennett and Peter Stott heard about how the elderly group were missing out they offered to cater the events and recruited three other helpers - Harry, Helen and Russ.

They provided Christmas lunches on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December at Honford Hall in Handforth for two groups (to restrict the numbers and to keep people in their bubble groups). The guests enjoyed turkey and all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding and a visit from Santa.

Gina Jones of Always Active said "Our staff and visitors were so disappointed we weren't able to go out for our usual Christmas lunch this year.

"We meet every week and our groups support each other, forming friendships and relief from the social isolation they are living through. The pandemic has hit our members particularly hard as they are older and have been unable to see family and friends. To be able to do a socially distanced, Covid secure Christmas lunch was fantastic."

Hilda one of the Always Active regular attendees said "It's so lovely, people are so kind pulling together in these terrible times."

Photo: Hilda receiving her gifts from Santa, volunteers Peter Stott, Julie Bennett, Harry, Russ and Helen. Peter and Helen preparing to serve lunch.

Tags:
Always Active
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Comments

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Desmond Williams
Thursday 24th December 2020 at 11:00 am
Congratulations on your tremendous act of kindness to people isolated at Christmas Time
It is a terrific and admirable act on all of your parts.