Anchor care homes help community tackle isolation and loneliness at Christmas

An array of Anchor care homes across England are inviting older people in their local communities to join residents and staff for their 2018 Christmas Day celebrations.

Anchor care homes in 13 different towns have organised inclusive Christmas cheer for older people living alone in their local areas and hope older people will get in touch so they can help them join in the festivities.

Homes involved in the initiative include:

• Borrage House, Ripon
• Wynyard Woods, Billingham
• Elderwood, Darlington
• Tolson Grange, Huddersfield
• Hatton Grange, Manchester
• Palmersdene, Jarrow
• Townend Close, Keighley
• Beech Hall, Leeds
• Wellington Lodge, Manchester
• Middlesbrough Grange, Middlesbrough
• Cranlea, Newcastle
• Teal Beck House, Otley
• Ashcroft, Bradford

The guests will join everyone at their chosen home for Christmas lunch, take part in the festive activities, including games and sing-alongs, and then be taken home when they are ready, all free of charge.

Sarah Aitken, Manager of Borrage House, said “Christmas Day can be an incredibly lonely time if you live on your own. We wanted to extend the warmth and companionship of our lovely home to anyone facing the day alone.

Emma Ciccone, Manager of Ashcroft care home, also involved in the initiative, said: “We go all out at Christmas for our residents, because some of them don’t have anyone else and we are seen as their family so we’re happy to invite some people in to join us for Christmas Day. 

“We’ll pick them up in a taxi on the morning and they can spend all day with us and we’ll then organise for them to get taken home.”

If you or someone you know would like to join Anchor residents on Christmas Day please call the relevant home to speak to the manager. Places are limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.