A Christmassy Blog with Matt Smart
One of the main reasons I love working at Stonewater is the passion from all my colleagues for helping others.
At Christmas time this couldn’t be more evident.
I’m a Social Media Editor here at Stonewater and I work closely with the Customer hubb community and our customers who choose to contact us through Facebook and Twitter. Because of this, I don’t get to experience much face to face customer situations so I rely on our intranet, which has a nifty bit for colleagues to share their stories and experiences – it’s great to read when I’m having break, I really feel like I’m a part of the story and it makes me proud to say that I work with these fantastic colleagues!
Because of the time of year, there are quite a few stories about Christmas, so I thought I’d share with you some of my favourites from the last few weeks.
Here, my colleague Caroline tells us about the residents at Coombe Bank.
Residents today enjoyed their annual Christmas Raffle with donations from local businesses in Brixham. This year’s recipient of funds raised will be a local charity "The Edge" who serve Christmas lunch to all those alone or isolated in the community on Christmas Day.
The Christmas festivities kicked off with a wonderful Carol concert with The Salvation Army and a post-concert buffet provided by by one of the residents who does it every year to raise money for the Salvation Army. We were thrilled that the concert was well attended by tenants and the local community. The following day the tenants enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch. As you can see a happy time was had by all.
Here, my colleague Cynthia tells us about the residents at Warwick House.
Residents enjoyed their Christmas/End of Year party yesterday, with local school choir singing Christmas carols, games, presents and lots of fruit and food. Residents from Warwick House and Raglan Court joined them too.
Hilda has been busy with these two wintery events...
Let it snow… and smiles all around at Bedford Raglan Court as Maz, as she is fondly known takes an exercise class. Her parachute exercise is going down a storm to the tune of Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow with finale of the white balls being thrown up in the air. Exercise while you laugh, sounds good to me. Residents really look forward to Maz’s weekly class and by the looks on their faces are thoroughly enjoying this one.
Residents also enjoyed festivities with organ player Billy Keys singing along and enjoying his jokes. The glass was more than half full as residents had fund raised with cake stalls to pay for entertainer party buffet.
Gary is the Service Delivery Officer at Chaddesley Court in Dudley and he shared this today…
Chaddesley Court volunteer Gordon delighted residents on Tuesday at their Christmas party by performing Christmas numbers on his cello. – Gordon, a keen cello player in his spare time worked with staff at Chaddesley Court and residents to perform silent night, jingle bells and other classics.
Finally, my colleague Liz has an update from Merlin Lodge...
Merlin Lodge had an enjoyable morning listening to the children from Woolston infants school who came to the scheme to sing some Christmas songs. It was so lovely for all of us to listen to. Finished off with tea and cake. Here’s a picture of her Christmas jumper…
Thanks for taking the time to read these great news articles from some of my colleagues. I wish could share all the great work that they do!
Have a fantastic Christmas and an even better New Year.
Matt Smart
Social Media Editor