Extra Care Residents Party Like It’s 2021

To celebrate the end of lockdown and being able to get together for social events again, residents of Watling Court Extra Care Housing Scheme enjoyed a party last weekend.

Prior to the pandemic, the residents at the Ifield Way scheme would enjoy a party with live entertainment on an almost monthly basis, so when lockdown kicked in, it was difficult for them all to be apart. But with restrictions relaxed enough to allow larger gatherings, the residents were able to get together for a drink and a dance last week.

For the first time in nearly 18 months, they welcomed an entertainer to the scheme, who put on an incredible performance whilst they danced the night away and made up for lost time.

Helen Goulding, Housing Officer at Watling Court said: “It’s been a really difficult year for residents living in extra care schemes, as the apartments are treated as individual homes, they have had to mostly stay at home, and we’ve had hardly any social gatherings at all.

“It’s been incredibly isolating for many and as we pride ourselves on our community atmosphere and tackling loneliness, it’s been hard for us all but to be able to get back to some normality now and have our party nights back has been absolutely wonderful. It’s been excellent to see the smiles on their faces, they said it was the best party ever and were all chatting about it the next day.”

Resident, Jill Williams, added: “It was a fabulous evening, the singer was great and just kept going for us all! It was the best evening I have had in a long time.”