In support of World Mental Health Day, a charity committed to supporting older people in the UK has reaffirmed its commitment to the mental wellbeing of its residents and service users.
This year, World Mental Health Day’s theme was ‘Mental Health for All’ and Friends of the Elderly, the charity which runs and manages care homes, day care centres and home care services throughout England, observed this annual awareness day by reiterating its commitment to its residents and service user’s mental health and wellbeing.
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) takes place each year on 10th October. It first started back in 1992 when it was created by the World Federation for Mental Health by the then Deputy Secretary General, Richard Hunter.
Friends of the Elderly puts the health, safety and wellbeing of its residents and service users at the heart of everything it does and knows how important it is to take care of each individual’s mental health and happiness and consistently puts into practice activities to help support this.
Jess Stone, Head of Marketing and Communications at Friends of the Elderly, said: “Good mental health is characterised by a person's ability to fulfil a number of key functions and activities. Through our wide and varied range of interactive and inclusive activities, our residents and service users are able to keep active, eat well, enjoy socially-distanced classes and sessions as well as communicate, interact and maintain and forge new friendships.”
Friends of the Elderly sees the person first and not their diagnosis and concentrates on what people can do rather than what they can no longer do. Throughout all its homes – which cover residential, nursing and dementia care- day care centres and home care services, the teams ensure everyone is kept active, motivated, engaged and stimulated.
Activities at the care homes have not slowed down during the COVID-19 lockdown. Residents have been active and entertained throughout this unprecedented time, which has helped to support their positive mental and physical wellbeing.
The charity’s experienced Activity Co-ordinators design, develop and deliver full programmes, bespoke to their resident’s needs, wants and interests. These include gentle socially distanced - group exercise classes, baking, creative international and imaginative arts and crafts sessions, gardening, music, themed movie nights, and much more.
