A sunny Friday heralded the start of Abbeyfield Week from 4th June – 12th June 2010. The week was a real success for Abbeyfield. Everyone who participated grasped with both hands the opportunity to connect, celebrate and communicate with one another and the community at large about all that is good and great about The Abbeyfield Society.
Numerous events took place around the country, ranging from strawberry teas and garden fetes to bigger, much more ambitious projects such as plays, musical productions, golf days, a fashion workshop and D-Day themed parties that took weeks, and in some cases months, to put together. All the events were organised and participated in by House Managers, Care Managers, volunteers and residents and members of the community.
The research that was commissioned on ‘Holding Hands’, the theme for this year’s Abbeyfield Week, secured coverage in The Daily Telegraph as well as interviews with CEO Paul Allen on a number of regional radio stations nationwide. Local press coverage has alerted us to a number of previously unknown events that were held during the week-long celebration.
Staff, residents and volunteers alike threw themselves wholeheartedly into preparing events for Abbeyfield Week and CEO Paul Allen and the directors of Abbeyfield did their best to attend all they were invited to. They showed their support by attending almost 40 events in Cumbria, Stow-on-the-Wold, West Kirby, Wolverhampton, Belfast, Stoke, The Isle of Wight and Kent to name but a few.
Cakes, scones, biscuits, barbecues, bakes and traditional WWII wartime and Polish fare was washed down with Pimms, wine, champagne, beer and gallons of tea.
Guests left parties and events laden with great prizes won from the plethora of raffles and tombolas generously donated to by friends of Abbeyfield. Many of the events up and down the country were attended by residents’ friends and families, the local community and dignitaries including councilors, mayors, mayoresses and celebrities who all support the Abbeyfield ethos of aiming to enhance the quality of life for older people.
Paul Allen commented: "This year's Abbeyfield Week has been a great success. My directors and I have been very impressed by the variety of events, the high standard of organisation and the warmth of hospitality. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts and hard work. We are greatly impressed and touched by the dedication, zeal and enthusiasm of our volunteers and staff."