A Step Back In Time: Cambridge Homes’ 1940s Tea Dance Is A Resounding Success

Team members, residents, family and our friends in the community came together in a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and camaraderie at the 1940s Tea Dance, the first joint event hosted by Athena Care Homes’ sister homes in Cambridge—Alex Wood House and Langdon House.

Held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Arbury, a welcoming and beautiful space for the occasion, the event was a heartwarming success, bringing joy and nostalgia to all who attended and raising funds for the Red Hen Project at the same time.

A total of 72 tickets were allocated for the event, with residents arriving in their finest attire, ready to embrace the spirit of the 1940s. The afternoon was filled with laughter, dancing, and community spirit, as everyone waved flags and joined in the lively dance sessions.

Alex Wood House General Manager, Julie Fuller, shared her delight, saying,
“It was fantastic to see the residents arriving at the church and having a wonderful time—flag-waving, dancing, and we all tried to learn the Gay Gordon dance, with some achieving more success than others!”

The Red Hen Project is a small but impactful local charity that has been working with primary school children in North Cambridge for over 20 years. Their family workers provide essential support to children and families, bridging the gap between home and school. They offer one-on-one support tailored to each family’s needs, addressing challenges such as behaviour difficulties, reluctance to attend school, family routines, and access to extracurricular activities.

Looking ahead, the success of the 1940s Tea Dance has paved the way for more joint events between the two homes. Plans are already in motion for a special VE Day celebration in early May, in collaboration with the Cambridge Veterans Club, promising another fantastic gathering for residents and the wider community.