Activities And Services For The Elderly At Christmas And All Year Round

Published on: 21 Dec, 2015
Updated on: 21 Dec, 2015

Two social centres for the elderly in Ash and Guildford have been putting on special activities in the run-up to Christmas and will continue during the festive period.

From special Christmas meals to fun events, staff at Shawfield (Ash) and Park Barn centres are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of older people both during the holidays and all year round. The Guildford Borough Council-run social centres can be enjoyed by anyone over the age of 55 living in the borough.

Visitors to the Park Barn Social Centre have already been enjoying the Christmas events that have been laid on.

At the Shawfield Social Centre, Shawfield Road, Ash, the Christmas events people can enjoy over the coming days, in addition to the other activities and lunches are:

Monday, December 21,  Christmas Snowball Bingo at 1pm.

Tuesday, December 22, gingerbread making  (morning).

Wednesday, December 23, new age kurling (afternoon).

Thursday, December 24, mince pie and coffee morning.

At the Park Barn Social Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford, Christmas themed events will continue on the following dates:

Monday December 21, Rhythm of Life Community Choir Christmas songs at 11am, followed by a Christmas lunch and bingo.

Tuesday, December 22, St Clare’s Church choir at 11am, followed by lunch and bingo.

Wednesday, December 23, Rah Rah Theatre performing Red Riding Hood at 10.30am, followed by a Christmas raffle, Christmas lunch and bingo.

Thursday, December 24, mulled wine and mince pies at 10.30am followed by a musical quiz and armchair exercises, lunch and Christmas arts and crafts.

Wednesday, December 30,  Wii bowling at 10.30am followed by arts and crafts, Christmas quiz, grocery raffle, lunch and bingo.

Thursday, December 31,  New Year’s Eve quiz at 10.30am, followed by arts and crafts, jingle bells armchair exercises, lunch and golf.

Sally’s Stars who performed Showtime at the Park Barn Social Centre, pictured with Cllr Tony Rooth.

At the Park Barn Social Centre on Thursday last week (December 17) its staff along with members of the community transport service put on a wonderful review of music and dance.

Sally Haines, the team leader for community transport and meals, put on Showtime featuring Sally’s Stars, and it went down a storm with a packed centre of regular clients and visitors.

All those who took part excelled themselves with their performing arts talents. Here are some pictures from the show.

The cast performing You Can’t Stop The Music.

Ain’t No Mountain High performed by Roger and Amanda.

The centre manager, Katie Pibworth, and GBC’s head of health and community care services, John Martin, perform a clarinet duet.

Sally Haines and Gary from community transport, dazzled the audience with their vocal talents.

Everyone was clapping along and joined in the singing.

These twins really enjoyed the show!

First-class entertainment at the Park Barn Social Centre.

Throughout the year, the two social centres are open every weekday and customers can drop in at any time during opening hours, with no requirement to stay all day. Activities on offer include: scrabble club, team games on the Nintendo Wii, youth club for older people, tai chi, new age kurling and crafts. The centres also offer hairdressing, chiropody, health check clinics and have community wardens based on site.

The special Christmas meals are provided by community meals service Apetito. The aim of the service all year round is to help people remain independent in their own home.

Hot meals, including a main course and a dessert, cost £4.10 and can be delivered seven days a week or at a frequency that suits customers. Older people can also enjoy local lunch clubs, with no commitment to come every day. A large selection of meals are also offered at lunch clubs at Dray Court in Onslow Village, and St Martins Court, West Horsley.

To help older people get around the borough, including visits to the social centres, Guildford Borough Council’s community transport service helps people who can’t easily use public transport including people over 60 years of age.

Its new fleet of fully accessible buses help people with typical journeys they would expect to make in a car or bus, such as shopping trips, visiting friends and family and visits to the doctor or hospital.

An example of what regularly goes on at the Park Barn Social Centre is this blanket of 117 square and made by a client, Jean, aged 88. It was raffled and made £111 for the centre’s funds. Pictured are Alice, Jean and Ivy, with Geoff, far right, volunteer Barry (wearing Santa hat) and Westbrough ward councillor Julia McShane and Cllr Tony Rooth.

GBC’s lead councillor for housing and social welfare, Cllr Tony Rooth, said: “Caring for the elderly in our borough and ensuring we do as much as we can for their health and wellbeing is a year round concern for us.

“At this time of year, when families all join together, the health and wellbeing of elderly relatives is a particular worry for many, particularly through the winter. This is why we want people to be fully aware of the many services and opportunities that are available for older people in our borough.

“We have an excellent team of dedicated staff at Park Barn and Shawfield Social Centres who do all they can to help older people enjoy their lives to the full. We also help people remain as independent as possible in their own homes with access to a support network of professionals and services if required.

“If you are elderly and want to know more about what’s on offer, or if you have an elderly relative or neighbour who you think should be benefitting from our services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Don’t wait, if you feel you need the help, contact us now.”

Community services manager, Jane Read, added: “There are many ways older people can remain well and enjoy themselves during the festive and winter period. Our social centres are the best way to meet new friends, have a go at something new and just make the most of spare time.

“As well as signing up to one or more of our services, you can stay well this winter by getting a flu jab, heating your home to at least 18 degrees, stocking up your medicine cabinet, keeping active even when indoors and making sure you have tinned and frozen food in case of bad weather and during Christmas closures.”

To find out about other services on offer to help older people across the borough, and to register for services, call 01483 505050, or visit www.guildford.gov.uk/helpforolderpeople. 

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