NATIONAL Cheer Up the Lonely Day is being celebrated in Stockton – as care home residents invite the community to join them for a tea party.
The event takes place at Ingleby Barwick Community Centre, on Haresfield Way, from 1pm to 3pm on Monday, 11th July.
Ingleby Care Home is hosting the event and will be joined by residents, staff and families from Mandale House Care Home.
Local supermarkets Tesco and Asda are supplying tea, coffee and soft drinks as well as cakes and snacks. Entertainment is being provided by local comedian and singer Norman Thompson alongside other activities.
Carol Singleton, manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Loneliness can have a major impact on the lives of the elderly, so we wanted to take the opportunity to invite the local community to join us for the afternoon at Ingleby Barwick Community Centre.
“Within a care home setting, our residents have friends, visitors and staff to interact with, enjoy a conversation and cup of tea, games and films. But many elderly living within the community don’t see anyone for days at a time.
“We want to invite anyone who experiences loneliness to join us as well as anyone who wishes to share a cuppa and a conversation, enjoy a slice of cake and some entertainment.”
Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane in Ingleby Barwick, is using the event to launch regular group meetings, called Friends of Ingleby. Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road in Thornaby, will also launch a similar group.
Carol added: “We know that loneliness is not going to be resolved with a single event, which is why we want to launch weekly tea and coffee mornings at the care home, for anyone to come and sit with and enjoy the company of our residents.”