Shrewsbury care home opens its doors for a merry good time

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

Every Saturday in December, including 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd December, from 2pm-4.30pm, Care UK’s Oxbow Manor, on Oteley Road, is helping older members of the community to get into the festive spirit by joining residents and team members for a series of festive, dementia-friendly cinema screenings.

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 Oxbow Manor, the team have been hard at work spreading Christmas cheer by adorning the home’s cinema with festive decorations and getting the popcorn machine warmed up. Those attending will also be treated to seasonal treats and hot drinks – the perfect way to enjoy a classic Christmas film.  

Emma Tillyer, Home Manager at Oxbow Manor, added: “We’re looking forward to opening our doors for a special cinema screening as part of the Care to Share initiative.

“Christmas is always an exciting time of the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate our first one since Oxbow Manor opened, with everyone sharing their favourite memories, traditions – and classic Christmas films. Films can help older people reminisce about their younger years and bring back some of the emotional connections that go along with them. It’s the perfect way to prompt conversation with others, improving wellbeing and reducing loneliness. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our older neighbours for a festive film screening and look forward to building on new and existing relationships – we’re already building up our Christmas film collection in preparation!”

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

Oxbow Manor is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.