Older members of the community enjoyed tea, coffee and delicious chocolate cake in Peasedown St John on Tuesday as part of the national Older People’s Day Celebrations.
Bluebird Care, the award-winning provider of personal quality care in the home in Bath and North East Somerset, organised and hosted the event.
The afternoon included a free community sing-a-long with the help of the Golden-Oldies at St John’s Close Community Hall.
The day celebrates later life and the huge contribution older people make to their communities.
Tim Rowland-Jones, the Director of Bluebird Care said: “I think it’s really important we celebrate the achievements and contributions that the older people make in our local community. Unfortunately there are still negative attitudes and out-dated stereotypes that exist and we hope that events like this will remind people how important and valuable older people are to us all!
“Our event in Peasedown St John showed that older people are very much active, willing, and wanting to be part of what is going on.”
Popular local charity the Golden-Oldies, which was set up in 2008 to provide older members of the community with opportunities to sing and meet new people, provided the entertainment.
Based in Westfield, Radstock, the organisation host regular singing activity groups across the region.
Founder of the charity, Grenville Jones said: “We are delighted to have supported Older People’s Day this year. One of the first Goldies sessions back in 2008 was at Peasedown and we have a lovely group there.
“In six short years, we have come a long way and now have over 70 popular singing and activity sessions across the West of England and South Wales. Those attending are elderly people, many living lonely lives as well as people with learning difficulties and dementia. For many, Goldies is their lifeline so we know the opportunity to sing-a-long to a few classics, like we did on Older People’s Day, is popular.”
Attending the event was Peasedown Parish Councillor, Mandy Clarke, whose late father, Roy Sansom, never missed a ‘Goldies’ session. She said: “The Golden Oldies have done a lot to encourage and entertain older people in the village. My Father loved going along each week to sing his favourite songs, meet new people, and enjoy a cup of tea.
“I’m very grateful to Bluebird Care for organising this event, and raising awareness of the contribution older people make to our society.”
Three generations of Roy’s family joined the occasion, including his eight-month old great-grandson, Robert-Junior.
Bluebird Care is a provider of care in the home. They specialise in working with customers who suffer from dementia, physical and learning disabilities, and work alongside their families, Social Services, GPs and Primary Care Trusts to ensure each person receives the care they need.
Mr Rowland-Jones added: “Bluebird Care offers a unique service of tailored care visits which range from anything from 15 minutes to full live-in support. As well as personal care we also help with meal preparation, welfare checks, shopping, social trips, visits to the hospital and provide extra support for post-discharge customers.”
