Kent care homes open their doors for a merry good time

Snow is falling, children are playing – and care homes across Kent are opening their doors to help combat loneliness in the community this festive season.

Across December, four Care UK care homes in Kent are welcoming older members of the community to get into the festive spirit by joining residents and team members for a host of festive activities. 

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.

On Wednesday 13^th December from 1:30pm, at Foxbridge House in Orpington, guests can share their favourite Christmas memories and traditions as they tuck into a three-course Christmas dinner, including turkey, pigs in blankets – and all the trimmings, thoughtfully prepared by the home’s Head Chef.

At Invicta Court in Maidstone, Montfort Manor in Ashford, and Harrier Lodge in Whitstable, the teams have been hard at work spreading Christmas cheer by transforming their cafés into Winter Wonderlands, complete with Christmas decorations, ornaments, and copious amounts of tinsel! Visitors to the cafés can enjoy a mulled wine, hot drink – and of course, a mince pie, as they share their favourite Christmas moments listening to Christmas carols. Invicta Court’s Christmas café is open on the 13^th December between 10am – 12pm, and at Harrier Lodge’s and Montfort Manor’s on Wednesday 6^th December, 10am – 12pm. 

Sara Barbosa, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: “Here at Care UK, we’re passionate about playing an active role in our community, so we’re delighted to be opening our doors across Kent to spread some festive spirit. 

“We know December can be a difficult month for many, so this is a wonderful chance to bring people together to get into the Christmas spirit and a great opportunity for everyone to build new friendships – as well as reminisce over fond festive memories. 

“We’d like to invite our older neighbours to book their place at our special events – this is certainly an event yule not want to miss!”  

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

Harrier Lodge, Foxbridge House, Invicta Court and Montfort Manor are purpose-built care homes designed to deliver luxury hotel-style comfort for residents, complete with a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and beautiful gardens. The homes are divided into separate residential, nursing and dementia care suites, encouraging close-knit communities where residents can get to know each other, and where people with similar needs can be cared for together.