Epsom care home opens its doors for a merry good time

Snow is falling, children are playing – and an Epsom care home is opening its doors to help combat loneliness in the community this festive season.

On Wednesday 13^th December, from 2-4pm, Care UK’s Appleby House, on Longmead Road, is welcoming older members of the community to get into the festive spirit by joining residents and team members to their cosy Festive Friendship Café. 

Studies have shown that almost 1.5 million older people feel lonelier at Christmas than any other time of year*. To help tackle loneliness, Care UK has launched its Care to Share initiative, designed to support older people through the festive season. 

More than 100 Care UK homes nationwide will be taking part to give older members of the community a safe and sociable space where they can enjoy some festive fun and good company – whether it’s singing along to Christmas carols or watching a Christmas movie with a mince pie.

At Appleby House, the team have been hard at work spreading Christmas cheer by transforming their café into a Winter Wonderland, complete with Christmas decorations, a tree and copious amounts of tinsel. Visitors to the Festive Friendship Café can enjoy a mulled wine, hot drink – and of course, a mince pie, as they share their favourite Christmas memories and listen to festive music. 

Shona Bradbury, Home Manager at Appleby House, said: “Our regular friendship cafe is always incredibly popular with members of the community – providing a wonderful opportunity to have a natter and make some friends and, this month, we’re putting a festive spin on things.

“The Care to Share initiative gives us the opportunity to support older people in the community and our new Festive Friendship Café is a wonderful way to create friendships with those in the communnity while enjoying a mince pie or a hot cocoa too. 

“The team and residents here at Appleby House are looking forward to sharing their Christmas cheer as we open the doors for some festive fun!”

To find out more about Care UK’s Care to Share initiative, please visit: careuk.com/caretoshare