Funding brought festive flourish to community as Muir welcomes Brightlife project
A PROJECT aimed at reducing isolation in older people began to flourish over the festive season at Muir.
Muir Group Housing Association’s Tweedsmuir sheltered housing scheme is taking part in the Brightlife-funded ‘Brighter Days’ project, designed to help reduce social isolation in older people by bringing people together to celebrate annual events.
Residents at Tweedsmuir, in Chester, which is currently home to 40 people aged over 55, are benefiting from £5,596 in Brightlife funding, assisting Muir to host even more events at the site which can be enjoyed, not only by those that live there, but also by other older people living in the local community.
And the project began with Christmas and New Year celebrations held at the scheme as people in the wider community aged over 50 were invited to Tweedsmuir to help get the initiative off to a successful start.
Donna Hufton, Muir’s scheme manager at Tweedsmuir said: “We had a fantastic response from volunteers and from Cheshire West’s Older people’s services who signposted people to the project, and with the support of Tweedsmuir residents who also volunteered their time and skills both events were well attended and fully enjoyed.
“It was lovely getting to know the people who attended, and seeing how this project has already made a significant difference in reducing isolation for these people after just two events.
“Many of us look forward to Christmas Day and other events, which are times best spent surrounded by friends and family.
“However, for many older people, such occasions can be painfully lonely with social circles reducing, and the loss of loved ones.
“We are looking forward to building on the positive outcomes continuing into 2017 with further events throughout the whole year.
“The Brighter Days project will play an important role in helping us to do that and enable us to include older people living in the local vicinity, so we welcome the Brightlife funding received.”
Brighter Days will be holding a series of events over the next 12 months, including Bank Holiday outings, an Easter lunch, Summer barbecues, a Halloween supper and plenty more, all of which will be enjoyed by Tweedsmuir residents and visitors from the wider community.
Following the Christmas event, one visitor said: “I didn’t think I would make it through Christmas day without crying, and nearly didn’t come but I am so glad I did.
“I met some lovely people, enjoyed the Christmas Dinner and realised I hadn’t cried once all day.”
If you know of anyone who might like the opportunity to take part, or volunteer their time and skills to help these events become reality, please contact the Tweedsmuir team on 01244 343940 or email donna.hufton@muir.org.uk