It comes but once a year and festivities at Belong are making for the most wonderful time as local communities join the dementia specialist for seasonal celebrations.
The jewel in the Christmas cracker, guests across the North West and West Midlands have been welcomed to the villages’ annual fair to meet Santa Claus himself before enjoying a browse of artisan gift stalls from independent traders. Later, they had the chance to mingle with Belong’s older residents and apartment tenants over mince pies and mulled wine served up in the onsite bistro.
Other highlights in the yuletide experience programmes for customers include home baking, wreath making, poetry classes and singing favourite carols, whilst live entertainment from visiting pantomimes, comedy magicians and dance academies have everyone getting into the spirit.
Meanwhile, those keen to get out and about have been delighting in group excursions to the pub, garden centres, theatres and department stores to tick items off their gifting lists, as well as joining nearby schools for singing, stories, and games with children.
A social with Nordoff and Robbins has seen the music therapy charity put on special interactive sessions, and in the spirit of the season, Elf Day bingo has raised funds to support the Alzheimer’s Society.
Sue Goldsmith, chief operating officer at Belong, said: “Our customers have been having a joyous time getting involved in all the Christmas cheer. It’s been a real ball, so far, and we’ve much more to come! We’re all about involving the community in our experiences and so we welcome everyone – pop into one of our villages to say hello and ask for a copy of our What’s On guide to see what’s coming up. For now, merry Christmas, all!”
