Newham based Alexandras are working their magic to bring festive cheer to Cornwall’s elderly and vulnerable residents this Christmas
Monday 18th December, 2023
The caring team at Alexandras are preparing to work their magic and bring a little festive cheer to Cornwall’s elderly and vulnerable residents this Christmas.
Staff working in and out of the busy offices in Calenick House, Newham, say they always look forward to this time of year when they get to dress up, sing and generally bring a smile to the faces of their 54 clients.
Alexandras Community Care has been providing reliable and safe home care in Cornwall since 1996.
The teams - based all over the region - offer a selection of services, including social and domestic support, dementia and palliative care.
Truro branch deputy manager Teona Bennett says some of their clients will be spending Christmas alone, making her team’s job even more important.
“On Christmas Day we always dress up and put the glitter or reindeer horns on and we’ll even do a bit of singing and dancing to help get everyone in the festive mood,” said Teona. “We even take some people a Christmas meal. Some of our clients live with their families or have relatives nearby but others live on their own and don’t see many people apart from their care team.”
Alexandras’ care staff also deliver presents and cards on Christmas morning to make sure clients have something to open on the big day.
Teona spent years doing the rounds as a carer before taking on her management role.
She says she loves her job but can’t always get out and about to see her clients as often as she did.
“Part of me does miss that,” she said. “I did take one lady a homemade Christmas dinner one year that I’d put aside for her.
“It made me so proud to see the smile on her face when I handed it to her. She didn’t know she was getting a dinner and her face just lit up. Moments like that make me love doing my job.
“Making that extra difference to people’s lives is an amazing feeling.”
Teona and the Truro team have highlighted the need for people to spare a thought for their elderly and vulnerable neighbours this Christmas.
Better still, there are plenty of opportunities to become part of Alexandras care teams.
“We’re always looking for people to come and work with us,” said Teona, adding that roles are flexible and can fit around family life or other commitments. “It’s such a rewarding career,” said Teona. “I love listening to people’s stories about back when they were young and what they did.
“It’s about talking to them and sitting with them if they’re having a bad day and making them realise that they’re not on their own. That’s what makes the job worthwhile all year round.”
To find out more, see alexandra-care.com