Christian Church, Christian faith, Elderly care, Finsbury Park, Friends and family, Health care, Metropolitan police, Old age, Rainbow Theatre, Social work,
Friday 21st November 2014
The festive season started early this year for Caleb, the seniors group at the UCKG HelpCentre, as 200 members gathered for an early Christmas dinner on Saturday 15 November.
They came from branches across London to join the party at the iconic Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, and enjoy a magnificent buffet meal with dishes from around the world, prepared and served by the young volunteers who support the group. Friends and family members accompanied many of the seniors for a warm and happy occasion.
Reflecting on the fact that Christmas can be a difficult time for older people who have outlived their friends or whose families have moved away, Kim Powell, the UCKG HelpCentre’s Community Outreach Co-ordinator said: “In this day and age it’s getting really hard for seniors to come together so an occasion like this often makes all the difference.
“We are certainly delighted to be helping to put smiles on their faces.”
The national Caleb group leader, Ignatius Hango added: “It’s always a lovely way to bring seniors together through a lovely meal and a chat and in good company”.
Two Metropolitan police officers accompanied the Plaistow Caleb group; they accepted an invitation to come along as their guests. PC Siann Mehmet and PC Maria Soteriou had been impressed by what they learnt at the recent Plaistow Open Day, and were keen to see the UCKG HelpCentre, and in particular the Caleb group in action.
Siann Mehmet said: “Such a joyful occasion, a lovely sight to see the elderly coming together from various communities sharing a happy event. Everyone was happy full of good things to say and they received us with open arms.”
Maria Soteriou added: “We received such a warm welcome from everyone at the Christmas dinner it was an amazing get together I would definitely be a part of it again, we were very well received.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith.
Caleb is a special interest group of the UCKG that aims to support and assist all older people from age 55 up, and to meet the varied needs of people at different stages in their later years.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via
e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
