It’s always a joy (writes Debbie Thrower) to hear what different network members are getting up to. So, a big thank you to those of you who send in news and photos. It encourages our team here at the core, at BRF. We love hearing how you have devised novel ways of serving older people and that you have picked up on the good ideas of others you read about here.
Associate minister at Frinton Free Church, Sally Bates, an Anna Chaplaincy network member for several years now in Essex, has been looking back on the past six months and sends this report of what’s been going on in her area:
‘Back in October, we celebrated a year of our dementia café with a party and a cake. The café has really taken off, with about 40 guests regularly attending. We alternate between a singing group and a regular café with games and activities, each taking place once a month.
‘We have two particularly ‘good news’ stories from the café – our first couple ever to come back in October 2021 (post-pandemic) were Brenda and Barry. Barry is now in residential care but Brenda was so touched by the support she’s received from the café team and the church that she’s joined the team as a volunteer!
‘Also two local people not connected to church heard about the café, asked to volunteer as team members and have now started attending church on Sundays. One of them recently asked me to go with her to break some bad news to a friend. She has asked us for prayer on more than one occasion. It’s a perfect example of how “BELONG, BELIEVE, BEHAVE” is meant to work – they started on the fringes but are being drawn into the church community.’
‘Also in October, we knitted 75 blankets for children in Ukraine – a project organised by the magazine Women’s Weekly. That was a real collaboration – we put the word out through the church and found all sorts of people contributing, including the local WI, other churches, crochet/knitting groups and even people’s next-door neighbours!
‘We’ve now started work on some knitted angels (inspired by one of your blogs!) ready to deliver to care homes next Christmas!’
‘We served 105 Christmas dinners to those in the community who, otherwise, would have been alone that day – about two-thirds were served in person in the church hall, and the remaining third were delivered to people’s homes – the vast majority were seniors.’
‘We also delivered ten boxes for the local food bank, collected by our seniors’ club “Welcome Break”.’
‘Four local care homes and supported living units were visited for some carol singing. On the back of that, one of the homes approached us to ask if we could go back (with our “choir”!) for Easter! So that’s what we’ll be doing on 20 and 27 March this Easter time.
‘At Christmas, we were able to share a short gospel message and invite people to our Christmas services and we will do the same at Easter. Once a term we put on a free concert for the community – again, it is mostly seniors who are attending. The most recent was an organ concert last week.’
‘What a packed programme throughout the year!’, writes Debbie.
‘Hats off to Sally and her volunteers and to all our Anna Chaplaincy network members who seize the initiative and try new things; making the most of opportunities to minister among people in the older age group.
‘Creating communities that care is what it is all about!’
If you also have news to share do drop us a line at debbie.thrower@brf.org.uk or annachaplaincy@brf.org.uk.
