Bluebird Care Shropshire supported The Alzheimer's Society on Friday 9th December 2016 as they took part in ELF DAY to offer support and raise awareness of dementia.
Christmas fun
The company, which was recently graded ‘Good’ across the board by the Care Quality Commission, provides at-home care to people living in Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Oswestry, and the surrounding areas. Activities were held at its head offices in Bayston Hill and offices on Albion Hill in Oswestry town centre, as well as running a special session at the Oak Meadow Primary School in Bayston Hill.
Carers and staff swapped their uniforms for Elf outfits as they undertook various tasks including dementia awareness sessions with HR Manager Ceri Eades at the school, also in their Oswestry office, as well as a quiz, colouring competitions, ‘Elf & Safety’ Training and they had a great afternoon selling cakes.
Pictured above: The Bluebird Care team as elves!
A serious cause
Director of Care, Claire Flavell, said: “We are really throwing ourselves behind this fun Christmassy event at both offices, but there’s a very serious message behind it that we feel a responsibility to the community to spread the word about. Christmas can be a very lonely time for families living with dementia. It can affect people of all ages, although it is more common in the elderly."
Raising awareness
She continued: “It isn’t just extremely isolating for people suffering with the illness, but can also be incredibly difficult for their families. This is why we are holding a dementia awareness session in the local primary school so we can begin helping young people understand what they can do to help their loves ones. Education about what people can do to help really can transform lives.
“We are the official partners of Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service and have held dementia awareness sessions with their staff as well as many other groups around Shropshire as we work to create ‘dementia friends’."
