Special party organised by Caistor Cares for town’s elderly community

Christmas came early for Caistor’s senior citizens as the festive season celebrations got into full swing with a party organised by Caistor Cares – the community volunteering network aimed at reducing social isolation.

Caistor Cares launched earlier this year with a commemorative party for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations. This latest event, also taking place at Caistor Town Hall, brought together a wide and varied selection of talented performers from the town’s active community who gave up their time to enthrall the town’s senior residents with a festive-themed programme of entertainment.

Performances included a duet by Pearl McCann and Alice Morton, a ukelele band of children from Caistor Primary School (the Caistor Angels). From the Grammar School, there was a singalong led by Katie and Ellie Robey, three festive favourites by Robert Hewis, followed by a beautiful performance by Caistor Ladies Choir, with a rousing finale by the band The O’Claires.

Commenting on the party, Caistor Cares founder Chris Robey said: “We were pleased to welcome around 100 senior citizens to our first Christmas party. Since our launch in June, we have matched 12 volunteers to members, with regular meetings taking place. We do have more volunteers, trained and checked, and would be pleased to hear from anyone over the age of 60 who is interested in our befriending service.”

Caistor’s senior citizens were treated to afternoon tea and entertainment on Sunday 12 June, at a special party held to celebrate the launch of Caistor Cares – our new community volunteering organisation for the town’s elderly residents, aimed at reducing social isolation.

Timed to coincide with Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, the party at Caistor Town Hall was organised to promote our new befriending service offering friendship and support to older people in Caistor and the surrounding district.

The party brought together many different sections of Caistor’s active community, from young to old, to organise a programme of entertainment that included performances by the children of Caistor Primary School, the Encore Dance Academy, a string quartet, entertainer Trevor Cunningham, and an arousing finale and singalong with the Caistor Ladies Choir.

“Our launch party was a huge success and enjoyed by the many senior citizens who came along. There was a real buzz in the air and we had quite a few expressions of interest in our service,” said Caistor Cares founder Chris Robey.  “It couldn’t have happened without so many people giving up their time to help, but that’s Caistor for you. Finally we are up-and-running, and ready to provide a friendly and caring volunteer service to our elderly residents.
“Our befrienders are now in place and we invite contact from anyone that is interested in our free service or knows someone who might be. We can take referrals from friends, family, neighbours, doctors’ surgeries, nursing homes and other organisations for our volunteer service, as long as the person in question gives their consent.”

We are pleased to announce that Caistor Cares will work in association with Friendship at Home, a charity that has been providing befriending services for over 10 years in North East Lincolnshire. They have agreed to help with our procedures, policies and training as part of their Rural Outreach Programme.

The official launch date for Caistor Cares is set as 12th June, to coincide with her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Under the guidance of Social Secretary, Bridget Turner, a Welcome Party is to be organised in Caistor Town Hall, which is free of charge to all residents of Caistor and district over the age of 60.

Following a well-attended public meeting in January 2016, Caistor Cares is established and a committee formed.