Care home and Age Friendly join forces to help the vulnerable

LOCAL care home, Blenheim House has teamed up with Age Friendly Melksham to support isolated and vulnerable members of the community.

The partnership has helped to deliver over 30 ‘Necessities Boxes’, which have brought much needed support, humour and relaxation to those most in need.

Blenheim House’s community lead, Chris Guest explains, “We have teamed up with Age Friendly Melksham to identify residents in Melksham who were experiencing difficulty collecting their shopping, some of these were being discharged from hospital and we anticipated they might be without company or necessities. 

“Each of our ‘Necessities Boxes’ included toiletries, sweets, magazines and information on who they can contact should they feel lonely and need extra support.

“The residents were identified via Age Friendly Melksham’s database and contacted to see if they would appreciate our support, we had an overwhelming YES in reply, and set out to meet each person and provide a moment of company.”

Age Friendly Melksham’s co-ordinator, Phillipa Huxtable, said, “We are so pleased to team up with Chris and the residents at Blenheim House Care Home. We are always looking for partnerships when helping our community combat loneliness and to help those who feel isolated, and this incredibly thoughtful gesture has been wonderful in helping to boost resilience towards the winter months- we really do look forward to working with Blenheim House again.”

Alongside the necessity items in the boxes were messages of kindness from both Chris and Phillipa and important helpline information for anyone feeling the need for support from Age Friendly Melksham.

Chris continues, “The recipients of the necessities box project were overjoyed, with many of them sending in letters and cards of thanks.”

Are you feeling isolated or lonely? Age Friendly Melksham are here to help and can be reached on 01225 667971, or email: hello@afmelksham.org.uk