Glendale care home Christmas tree decorated by local community

Residents and carers at Glendale care home have thanked members of the public, including the mayor of Elmbridge, for helping to decorate the care home’s Community Christmas tree.

The team at the care home, based in Walton-on-Thames, placed a Christmas tree outside, inviting members of the public to help put up decorations. 

Although current circumstances have prevented Glendale from partaking in their usual Christmas time communal activities, the Christmas tree decoration was organised by Anchor Hanover as a way of ensuring that Glendale could still have some community interaction while ensuring everyone remained safe.

With decorations in place, last week, residents were then treated to a spectacle of the new tree being lit up by Elmbridge’s own mayor, Councillor Mary Sheldon at Glendale’s official Christmas lighting ceremony. 

Mayor of Elmbridge, Mary Sheldon thanked the team at Glendale for their hard work and dedication and wished everyone a very merry Christmas. Mayor Sheldon said:

I know what a huge amount of work the staff have put into looking after everybody particularly over the last nine months. It’s been very, very hard for everybody and I know how dedicated the staff here are and I also know how patient all the lovely residents have been because life has not been quite the same for everybody as it is in normal times.

Maria Panagakis, 69, who has lived in Glendale since 2016, said how much she enjoyed seeing the Christmas tree decorations brought along by the public combined with the lights being turned on. She said:

It was excellent to see the lights come on and the tree looks absolutely beautiful! It was really nice to meet the mayor and very nice to see everyone coming over to help decorate our tree with the decorations they made! 

Colette Kelleher, Manager of Glendale, was keen to thank the members of the public for their contribution. She said:

A huge thank you to everyone who has already come to help decorate our Christmas tree, the mayor’s visit was a lovely occasion and showed that despite all the current challenges we can still celebrate in our own way. This is just one of the lovely things we have planned for our Christmas celebrations. We will also be celebrating with Christmas themed singalongs and holding a festive fancy dress competition for dogs of staff and families.  The residents are looking really forward to judging the entries!

At Glendale care home, activities and events like these play an important role in enhancing residents quality of life. Looking for a care home for yourself or loved one? Find out more information over on our dedicated webpage or by calling 0800 085 4261.