Supporting our Communities at Christmas
This Christmas we got the pleasure to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the NELFT Older Adults Mental Health team.
The NHS team provide mental health support to hundreds of the most vulnerable people in the borough. Many of the people that they work with are isolated and others do not have close friends or family. We were asked to put on a Christmas Party for their service user group, as they often get overlooked, so of course we said yes!
We invited Morgan Sindall and the South Woodford and Leytonstone Rotary Club to co-sponsor the event, and arranged for the event to be held free of charge at Priory Court Community Centre on December 15th. Entertainment included a children’s choir from local Greenleaf school, Santa, our very own resident liaison officer Shane, handing out presents, Christmas Bingo, expertly called by Jonathan and a singer/guitarist who delivered a medley of Christmas songs.
Rachel, Shane and Jonathan helped prepare the food and decorate the hall with the NELFT team. There were plenty of happy faces on the residents attending, who thoroughly enjoyed their special day out.
“We had such a good time and a really big thank you to you personally for the support you have given us beforehand, and on the day, to put this party on. Our thanks also to Aston Group for supporting this event. We look forward to working with you again next year”.
The highlight of the event was an elderly gentleman, who after meeting Santa, was overcome with emotion and told him that he had made his day. He had never met Santa before in all his life and always wanted to. It’s moments like this that really bring home how vital our engagement with residents can be, and how much of a difference we can make, often when and how we least expect.
“Rachel and the lovely people at the Aston Group helped us spread a bit of Christmas cheer for the older people in Waltham Forest. The day itself was a great success despite snowy weather and those who attended had a lovely time. We had a visit from a local school who sung carols, our social worker’s brother who played some acoustic songs and Santa even made a stop to bring some extra cheer. Those who couldn’t get to the centre had some gifts delivered to them at home so that they did not miss out. A huge thank you for generosity and community spirit of the staff of the Aston Group and Morgan Sindall.
