Salvation Army provides a friendly break for the elderly
The charity Salvation Army is known for always being a helping hand when people are in crisis or struggling with day to day life and that includes when the elderly are struggling to live on their own.
Northern Quota had the chance to speak to Jean Craven, who runs a Salvation Army Daycare once a week in Winsford. The daycare, which started over 25 years ago, provides a full day of activities every Friday including things such as flower arranging, quizzes or guest speakers, for anyone who has nowhere else to turn.
Jean explained more about the service and how important it is to people who attend:
"Through the years, many people have come to our Friday Care which has changed their lives, given them a reason to live. Each person who would like to come to us has a visit in their own home, if they have family then we like to meet them and explain how the day at the Army works.
Each Friday we do many activities such as activity singalongs, card making, flower arranging, guest speakers and card and clothing stores. Each persons birthday is celebrated with a cake and gift and to some, it is the only gift they receive."
Jean also spoke of some of the people who have attended and how it has had such a positive impact on thier lives:
"Norah is 94 and housebound she just phoned us one day saying she was very lonely, she only has a niece who lives quite a distance away. She now arrives each Friday, bringing along her walker to aid her walking and comes through the door with a huge smile on her face, saying it is the highlight of her week to be with people who make her feel special and wanted. She along with some of the others are coming to spend Christmas Day with us."
"Malcolm came to us referred by his social worker because he was so withdrawn and she felt his sister, who was his carer, needed a break. When he first came he wouldn’t speak to anyone but after his second week, he started to talk to people and within four weeks he was offering to help pass the biscuits around and wanting to help make the afternoon cup of tea. It was such a transformation.
His sister was amazed after a few weeks she couldn’t stop him talking about everything that had happened at his day at the Salvation Army."
The centre provides help for anyone who calls the charity themselves to say they are alone or people who are referrals from our local hospice, home care workers or social workers. If you know anybody who would benefit from the service, visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/winsford