'All aboard with the Mayflower' – a virtual Holiday at Home in Southampton.
'In this season, when loneliness and isolation are even more acute,' explains City Chaplain for Older People, Canon Dr Erica Roberts, 'it was wonderful to join with a 115 fellow passengers across the city from the comfort of our own homes to enjoy a virtual voyage marking the 400th Anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.
'As a charity working across Southampton with older people in community and in care, the team at Caraway (caraway.uk.com) was delighted to reimagine our annual Holiday at Home so that we could connect with each other from our homes.
'Working in partnership with local churches, community groups and Waitrose, we set sail on Tuesday 10 November, when an amazing team of volunteers delivered a Holiday Bag, full of history, stories, activities and crafts – not forgetting a delicious afternoon tea. It was wonderful to see the smiles on our guests faces, along with the opportunity for a quick chat and Bon Voyage!
'For those with internet access, over 40 of us joined in an interactive Zoom for nautical fun with themed exercises provided by the Saints Foundation, sea shanty singing with FolkActive and a bit of Mayflower bingo.
'The event was free, supported by a heritage grant from the Southampton City Council.
'Reflecting on the day’s activities and how the Mayflower is so closely linked to what we now know as Thanksgiving, we are thankful that we could join together and bring this to fruition and look forward to our next adventure – maybe early in 2021!'