Belong Crewe Residents Have A Ball At Great Gatsby Party

Residents and staff members at specialist care village, Belong Crewe, have started their Christmas celebrations in style at a Great Gatsby themed ball. Party guests donned 1920s’ style outfits, sipped bubbly and enjoyed learning routines from a ballroom dancing instructor.

The highlight of the party was the entertainment; a professional ballroom dancing instructor invited residents to the dance floor to learn routines and show off their dance moves. The village management team also took to the stage dressed as 1920s’ ‘flappers’ and gangsters and sang well-known songs from the era. The old-time music acted as a form of reminiscence therapy, proven to be particularly beneficial for people living with dementia, stimulating cognitive ability as well as being therapeutic.

Residents embraced the spirit of the event by sporting glittered eye masks that they had created at an arts and crafts session earlier in the week. Craft sessions such as these also provide sensory therapy that has been found to decrease agitation and restlessness, which can be common for people living with dementia.

Michelle Bell, Belong Crewe’s General Manager, said: “Everybody had a wonderful time at our Great Gatsby ball! Everyone really got into the spirit of the event and it was lovely to see residents dancing and singing along to familiar songs. It was a perfect start to the new year.”

Partygoers were also treated to canapés and cakes in The Venue in the village, which was decorated in the style of an opulent Gatsby party and featured a photo-booth and props.