Smiles All Around At Austen House On Friendship Day

Austen House care home in Lower Earley, Reading had a blast celebrating Friendship Day with their friends from local community on July 30, with smiles all round as everyone reminisced about their friends and some of the wonderful times they had shared over the years.

The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between people, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

Today, Friendship Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe and is a special occasion that encourages people to celebrate their friendships – old and new – by spending time with their friends and loved ones.

Staff and residents spent time making friendship bracelets to give to their friends, colleagues and to the many friends of the home who volunteer, to say thank you for all their help and support. Life enrichment team organized an Afternoon Tea Party and we had a brilliant time with our friends from local community and loved ones.

Head chef Ainsworth Brown prepared some delicious freshly-baked cakes and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.

Marigold, a resident at the home, commented “We’ve had such a lovely day. It has been wonderful to celebrate all our lovely friends and helpers, Friendship Day has made me think about just how much those relationships mean to me.”

Joseph Patterson, General Manager at the home, said: “Everyone at Austen House was keen to get involved in Friendship Day celebrations. It was really nice to see residents engaging with their friends from local community, and I think it made everyone realise just how amazing it is to have good friends.”