With help from retirement housing officers every tenant living in retirement accommodation was invited to attend and to our surprise over 400 people put their names down! So, one party quickly turned into two – north and south! 

Transport was arranged and Christmas party planning put into action to welcome over 350 tenants to St Bride’s Chapel Hall, Motherwell and St Patrick’s Chapel Hall, Coatbridge. Tenants enjoyed a Christmas meal, a game of bingo (prizes supplied by Mears and Saltire) and danced the afternoon away with our entertainer singing all the classics. 

Tracy Lennon, Tenant Participation Manager, said: “This was a first for us. We know that not all our complexes have the facilities to host their own parties so we thought we’d organise one big party. We couldn’t believe the response and had so many tenants wanting to come along. One party became two, and a party took place in both the north and south areas. Tenants had a ball with many saying they didn’t want to leave when their transport arrived! The party had apparently just started! 

“Christmas can be a lonely time for older people, and it was truly magical to have everyone together, enjoying good food and company. Community spirit is so important at this time of year. If you know someone older or alone in your community whether it’s checking to see if they need any food or medicine, their path cleared of ice and snow or just taking time for a chat, these small acts can help people cope better.”