Salisbury care home opens its doors for a merry good time

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

On Thursday 14^th December, from 10am-12pm, Care UK’s Salisbury Manor, on Shapland Close, is helping older members of the community to get into the festive spirit by joining residents and team members for a festive Friendship Café complete with Christmas lunch.  

Salisbury Manor’s popular Friendship Café provides a warm and welcoming environment for older people in the community to spend time together, enjoying games and entertainment while tucking into homemade cakes. 

This December, the Friendship Café will have a festive twist with visitors invited to join residents for board games, mulled wine and mince pies. Later there will be special Christmas dinner, with turkey, pigs-in-blankets and all the trimmings in the home’s dining room where they’ll be greeted by Evolution choir as they enter the home. 

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.

Skye Williams, General Manager at Salisbury Manor, said: “We’re delighted to be pulling some extra seats up to the table as we invite older members of the community to join residents for our Friendship Café and Christmas lunch. 

“Here at Salisbury Manor, we firmly believe everyone should have someone to pull their cracker with at Christmas, which is why we’re opening our doors to those who might be feeling lonely or missing that special someone. Guests will be able to enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch specially prepared by our talented catering team, as well as enjoy some traditional Christmas games with residents. 

“We encourage anyone interested in joining us to sign up quickly, as places are limited – we’re looking forward to spending this special day with some new and familiar faces!”

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

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Salisbury Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.