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Hope literally blooms!

Writer's picture: Debbie ThrowerDebbie Thrower

Updated: Feb 4, 2021


News of new initiative HopeBlooms on the south coast


Network member, Erica Roberts, the City Chaplain for Older People in Southampton reports on a scheme bringing cheer to many in these grey days of February:


 

It is totally amazing how much brightness and delight a seasonal bouquet can bring to someone isolated and lonely in our community. We are therefore, absolutely delighted to have teamed up with the talented @hopeblooms.floristry to spread the joy from this initiative. Delivering beautiful bouquets to our isolated older community across Southampton.


The HopeBlooms Floristry initiative transforms leftover flowers into beautiful bouquets for churches and organisations to share with vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton.

The florist Charlotte MacArthur says, 'Flowers bring joy, we all know that. In our city there are many that won't normally receive flowers or know the warmth they bring with them. Many people, particularly elderly, are feeling the sting of loneliness more than ever. There are people who are facing challenges alone. I have been a florist for nearly 20 years and will be using surplus flowers from supermarkets and wholesalers and recycling leftovers that would normally be thrown away. In my own way I hope to bring people hope and encouragement.'


On Friday 15 January, a team of Caraway volunteers hand-delivered the magnificent, colourful, bouquets to some of our older community. You can read some of the utterly moving comments that we have received from the recipients…


It was a lovely surprise for us to receive the beautiful bouquet of flowers yesterday. Thank you so much for thinking of us – it was much appreciated. It was nice to catch sight of Rachel and David as well, and on a sunny day too! We look forward to seeing you again one day.
I have just been totally overwhelmed and emotional about the unexpected gift of flowers. They are so beautiful and a great lift in these dark times. Thank you so much for thinking of me and especially thanks to the thoughtful and generous florist who made it all possible.
Thank-you very much indeed for the beautiful bouquet of flowers that Rachel brought round to me one day last week. They are really lovely and are giving me immense pleasure. There is such a variety of flowers in the arrangement and so many of them that they make a wonderful display. Would you kindly convey my thanks to the lady who provided them. It was so kind of her.

As the country continues to hunker down amidst the current Covid restrictions. This is a beacon of hope that brings joy to those that need it most. You can find out more on how we continue to spiritually resource those in our community that are older but still young at heart at Caraway

 


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