Abbeyfield Lancashire residents receive a special donation

Donations that make a real difference

Miller Homes have been helping residents of Abbeyfield by donating specialist books and benches to two of our homes in Lancashire. Abbeyfield House supported (sheltered) housing in Garstang were donated benches to facilitate meetings between residents, and their friends and families, safely outdoors. Whereas Abbeyfield House Dementia Care Home in Clitheroe were donated some specialist hardback books to engage and entertain residents living with dementia. Both donations were made as part of an ongoing pledge by the company to support local communities.

The donated books have been produced by a company called ‘Pictures to Share’ and are designed to engage and entertain people with mid-later stage dementia. They can be used to help reduce feelings of depression, loneliness and can help to promote meaningful and enjoyable communication with friends, family and carers. Book topics range from memories of 1950s and 1960s, to pets, gardens and the seaside.

The benches were donated as lockdown restrictions eased, with the hopes of facilitating meetings between residents, and their friends and families in a safe way, outdoors. The residents have enjoyed meeting family on the benches, but also using them to sit and enjoy a bit of eagerly anticipated and well-needed sunshine

Anita Sorrell, Activities Co-ordinator at Abbeyfield House said, “Our residents have really enjoyed looking through these books, they have stirred many memories of days long past, and have certainly started many a conversation of happy times.”

Thank you Miller Homes for the kind donation, I’m sure they will continue to be valued by our residents in the future.

Joanne Painter, Senior House Manager at Abbeyfield House, Garstang adds: “We were so grateful when Miller Homes got in touch and offered to help out our house. We mentioned that we needed a replacement bench as we begin facilitating outdoor meetings for our residents, and they were more than happy to help – going above and beyond in their support.”

Sales Director at Miller Homes North West, Clare Noakes, said, We always strive to support the communities in which we build, and our outreach has no age limit. We have worked with various organisations in Catterall since beginning Beacon Park, young and old, and in this instance, we’ve loved being able to play a part in the amazing work that Abbeyfield house is doing in reuniting residents with their families.”

We'd like to say thank you to Miller Homes for making these donations to our Abbeyfield homes in Lancashire. 

_{Credit to Lancashire Telegraph.}