Our supported living schemes are active and vibrant places and at this time of year, they tend to get very festive.

Our staff and the wider community have been going the extra mile to make sure those living in our Extra Care, supported living, refuges and sheltered schemes feel the Christmas spirit this year.

Across our heartlands, our colleagues and communities have been spreading the Christmas joy.

Over in Warrington, Harper’s Green Housing staff, Torus Foundation and Care team came together to raise money for The Alzheimer’s Society, dressing like Christmas elves and putting smiles on lots of faces.

Harpers Green was also treated to a visit last week from Boris the Shetland pony, courtesy of residents, Derek & Christine, who enjoyed the visit with their grandson, as well as residents getting crafty, making Snow Globes & Baubles.

Over at Heald Farm Court in Newton, talented residents have been making a range of Christmas wreaths and other knitted goodies for their Christmas Fair, where they raised an amazing £400 and the staff organised fun and games and dressed as elves for the day. They also have had a visit from the Police to raise awareness of Festive scams.

And at Foundry Wharf in St Helens, residents made an absolutely whopping £1,000 at their Friends & Family Christmas Fair. The residents have also been involved in the “Cosy jumper” project, which explores human connections, via poetry, singing and finger & arm knitting, dance and animation.

The money raised will go into the resident’s funds, which are used to improve well-being on the scheme, days out, activities or equipment they might like to purchase.

Activities like these are important for keeping residents active, connected and for positive well-being.

Merry Christmas to all and here’s to a better 2022!