Anna Chaplain Gaye Hailstone recounts a successful week of activities organised from the Brundall area near Norwich.
'For the third year running Anna Chaplains in Brundall hosted a week of fun, food and fellowship for the elderly in the parish.
Twenty-six folk attended the Bus Pass Holiday Club last week and comments we received at the end of the week were that the thing they most enjoyed was the companionship; meeting new people; new friendships; not being on their own; as well as the days’ events.
Some of those who attended don’t have the opportunity to attend social events, so for them it was so very special. Now we have identified people, in future they will receive regular visits from one of the Anna Chaplaincy team, and be encouraged to come along to our twice weekly community café.
Three Anna Chaplains from the Norfolk network came along to find out what we provided, so that they can provide something similar in their own parishes.
We started each morning with chair aerobics and a time to thank God for everything he provides for us each day.
Then an activity: a talk from local history society; a talk from the RSPB; a Taste & Flavour workshop; flower arranging and a sing-a-long.
All followed by a nourishing lunch.
In the afternoons we went to a rose nursery; a tour of a church on the Broads; a boat trip on the Broads; and a visit to the seaside.
Our last afternoon was spent enjoying a Songs of Praise service in Church. What a wonderful week we had – so much laughter and caring fellowship and it was so right to thank God for journeying with us all week, on this our final day of
activities.'
