Don't Dine Alone event reaches out to isolated members of the community
A Wimbledon care home recently welcomed Mary Curtin, the Mayor of Merton, for afternoon tea with residents and guests of the home.
The visit took place during the homes’ Don’t Dine Alone event, where the staff welcome elderly guests from the local community into the home for an afternoon of hospitality to help tackle loneliness.
On the day guests were treated to sandwiches, scones and cakes in the dining room of Wimbledon Beaumont Care Community, which is run by Barchester Healthcare. Residents and guests of the home also had the chance to chat with Mayor Mary Curtin, who stopped to talk to residents and the staff over the afternoon tea.
The Don’t Dine Alone initiative was launched by Barchester Healthcare as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of the local community. Barchester Healthcare is also behind Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability to help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged in the communities where the Barchester care homes operate.
The Don’t Dine Alone Event, nicknamed The High Tea Society by the team at Wimbledon Beaumont takes place every Thursday between 2.30pm and 4pm for elderly people within the Wimbledon community, and is free of charge. There are eight places available each week and places must be booked in advance.
Gayane Selimyan, General Manager at Wimbledon Beaumont said: “It was lovely having the Mayor in to join us for our High Tea event. We regularly reach out to our neighbours within the local community because we understand it can be really hard to connect with others and make friends when you are isolated. Here at Wimbledon Beaumont, our doors are always open for anyone to stop by for a cup of tea and a friendly catch up, we would love to see you.”
April 25, 2019