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Christmas officially began at Abbeyfield when 170 Abbeyfield residents and staff gathered together for a Christmas Carol Concert at Liverpool Cathedral.
Ian Plaistow, Chairman of Abbeyfield, started the service with a welcome to all and a reminder of the message of Christmas. The congregation were then taken on a journey of the birth of Jesus with readings from members of Abbeyfield staff.
Favourite hymns such as ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘Away in a Manger’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ were sung with accompaniment by members of Liverpool Cathedral choir.
Clare Hobbins, Head of Housing Services at Abbeyfield The Dales said. “It was, as usual, a lovely service which we at Abbeyfield The Dales enjoyed very much.
“We started our visit to Liverpool with a lunch with Abbeyfield Wrexham which was a fabulous event spent chatting with trustees and residents about Christmases past and present. Before the service we stopped to purchase some souvenirs from the Cathedral shop for residents to give to family as gifts. All in all a really good start to Christmas.”
Nicola Taylor, Head of Care Services at Abbeyfield The Dales, echoed Clare’s comments and said, “I attended the service along with my colleagues and shared a lovely meal Abbeyfield Wrexham Society. This started off our trip beautifully as it was nice to listen to the residents as they shared their stories.
“During the service I was sat among residents from Formby, Merseyside. I commented on one of the gentleman’s beautiful singing voice which made his day as he had been in various choirs in his youth and he was delighted to know that he could still hold a tune.
“I really enjoy this coming together of the extended Abbeyfield Family to celebrate Christmas and it is a lovely event. The setting is stunning with the chapel offering an intimate venue where the residents feel safe and comfortable in order to sing their hearts out.”
After the service, residents and staff were invited for mulled wine, mince pies, ginger biscuits and a catch up with friends.
Companionship at Christmas
Christmas is an especially important time of year for older people living in the UK as it’s at this time of year when feelings of loneliness and social isolation are brought to the fore.
Every year, almost a million older people* feel lonelier at Christmas which is why our homes are opening their doors to invite as many people in the community as we can, who would otherwise be alone, to join us over the festive period. Offering the chance to meet new friends, eat good food and take part in festive activities, Companionship at Christmas aims to make sure everybody has someone to spend Christmas with.
*Age UK, Dec 17
