Whitehouse Farm Centre, a family-run farm attraction near Morpeth, has launched a new initiative which aims to encourage new friendships and tackle isolation through a regular programme of events and social activities.

With support from local company Legrand Assisted Living & Healthcare, based in Blyth, the farm launched ‘Hay Days’ on 8th May with a tea dance, and welcomed over 80 service users and their carers from a number of care homes and community groups in Northumberland and Tyneside.

Dawn Peters, a trained carer and Events Coordinator at Whitehouse Farm Centre, said: “The aim of Hay Days is to bring isolated community groups, people living in sheltered accommodation and care homes across the region together to take part in weekly and monthly activities which encourage new friendships and tackle isolation through fun, social events hosted on the farm.

“The feedback we have received has been phenomenal and clearly demonstrates there is a need for this type of service in the community.”

Attendees at the VE Day-themed launch danced and sang along with talented vintage singing sensation Kayley Cares from Sunderland. They were then treated to a tasty lunch by the farm’s catering team which was followed by a tour of the farm.

Residents came from Scarbrough Court Care Home in Cramlington, Mind Active Northumberland, Frank Bushell House in South Shields and The Caddy Shacks, a group covering Northumberland and Tyneside which brings adults with learning disabilities and physical disabilities together for trips and activities to help them make new friends and integrate with the local community.

In order to minimise the cost of running Hays Days events and activities to ensure they are affordable for people, Whitehouse Farm is receiving support from Legrand Assisted Living & Healthcare. The company designs, manufactures and supplies innovative technology solutions for the supported housing, health and social care sectors through their Tynetec, Jontek and Aid Call brands.

Managing Director for Legrand Assisted Living & Healthcare, Chris Dodd, explained: “Without a safe and friendly environment, many of the most vulnerable members within our community experience loneliness and isolation. As we are a Northumberland-based company that has been designing and manufacturing products in Blyth for over 40 years, we are fully invested in tackling the lack of activities available to combat loneliness in our local area, which is why we are working in partnership with Whitehouse Farm to support an event that is providing a much-needed social environment for elderly people to enjoy.”

www.tynetec.co.uk
http://www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/