Edinburgh care homes welcome community for festive fun with a nostalgic twist
Two care homes in Edinburgh are embracing the yuletide season by opening their doors for a special reminiscence event.
Cairdean House, on Redford Road in Colinton, and Murrayside, on South Beechwood in Corstorphine, are inviting people to revisit traditions from Christmas past by joining residents and team members for festive events.
The events are part of Care UK’s Step into Christmas initiative, which aims to rekindle Christmas customs that residents remember from their childhood by reliving them and sharing them with the local community.
At Cairdean House, guests can jive their way through a 1950s-themed Christmas party on Monday 15th December at 2pm-4pm, complete with live entertainment from Steven and Margo Butterfly, retro treats and plenty of dancing.
On Friday 19th December at 6pm-7pm, Murrayside’s resident carol choir will perform for the local community. Alongside the music, guests can enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies, gingerbread, and browse festive stalls.
Resident Jean Carlin at Murrayside, said: "I'm so looking forward to putting up the Christmas decorations. It will be lovely to sing carols together and share that Christmas feeling!"
Dorothy Pollett, a resident of Cairdean House, said: “I am very much looking forward to my first Christmas here and what a special step into Christmas party!"
Angela Burns, Home Manager at Cairdean House, said: “Christmas is a very special time of the year, and we aim for the residents to have the opportunity to reminisce and have their family and friends enjoy all the festive fun planned.”
Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year and this event allows us to honour memories from residents’ childhoods, bringing them to life once again.
“This is also a wonderful opportunity to unite the community, celebrate the season and pass on traditions that may otherwise be forgotten.
“We’d like to encourage local people to join us to celebrate the festive season and bring the memories of Christmas past to Edinburgh.”
For more information about Step into Christmas, visit careuk.com/step-into-christmas.
Cairdean House and Murrayside have been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The homes have been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.
To find out more, please visit www.careuk.com/care-homes/locations/edinburgh.