A SOLIHULL care provider has paired with Aston Villa’s Dementia Café to bring festive cheer to Birmingham residents living with dementia.
The weekly event , at Bluebird Care Solihull, empowers those with dementia to engage with fun physical and mental stimulation whilst offering respite for carers and family members over a cup of tea.
As specialist dementia care providers, the team were keen to share their expertise to help residents lead a fulfilling and active lifestyle.
The award-winning home care specialist donated a number of Christmas trees to the event, which visitors adorned with their favourite decorations.
Bluebird Care Solihull also hosted a Christmas-themed bingo, and invited guests to enjoy homemade treats cooked by local Care Assistant Jay Hussain.
Beyond the festive fun, the event offered an opportunity for local residents and care professionals alike to reminisce about their fond memories of supporting Aston Villa over the years.
Helen Sands, a Bluebird customer and lifelong Aston Villa fan, was excited to return to the stadium where she spent her weekends supporting the team as a child in the 1940’s.
Meanwhile, Care Assistant Jay had even played on Aston Villa’s pitch himself at the finals of the 2018 Asian Football League, so was likewise delighted to return to the stadium.
Indy Goraya, director at Bluebird Care Solihull, said: “Many of our customers, and indeed our colleagues, are lifelong Aston Villa fans, so we are delighted to support the club’s wonderful Dementia Café initiative.
“Through our specialist complex care work, we often support individuals and their loved ones with the challenges posed by a dementia diagnosis.
“As such, we wanted to contribute to this event to ensure that everyone in the wider Birmingham community can benefit from a kind and engaging support network.”
Helen, a customer at Bluebird Care said: “I have supported Aston Villa for over half a century now, so it was a great treat to return to the stadium to share old memories and make new ones.
“Decorating the tree together and making new friends was a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit, and I can’t wait to see everyone again next time!”
Chloe Hicks, wellbeing events and activities officer at Aston Villa, said: “Bluebird Care came along and joined our Dementia Café at Villa Park on Monday and we had the best day.
“They kindly donated some Christmas trees and decorations and the group really enjoyed putting them up and making Villa Park look festive.
“It was nice to have the groups mixed together and joining in activities together, and we all had a good laugh with the Christmas bingo! Thank you Bluebird Care.”
