Elderly invited to celebrate Queen’s 90th with Vincents
We are hosting a party
String up the bunting, get baking those cupcakes. Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday is expected to spark celebrations across the country this year. Elderly people living alone are being invited to join staff from Vincents Solicitors who are bringing together both clients and members of the wider community for a street party-style event.
The party is being held at Garstang United Reformed Church Hall on Thursday May 12 from 11am to 1pm. Decorations, catering and service will all be provided by staff from Vincents Solicitors, lead by the Garstang team and involving colleagues from across the business.
Personal invitations are being sent to Vincents’ clients across Lancashire who are elderly and live alone, as part of the firm’s drive to tackle loneliness and provide support and friendship. The invitation is also being opened up to other members of the local community who would like to join in the celebrations, and who want to meet new people and make new friends.
The party was the brainchild Lisa Lodge, head of the Garstang office, who is launching the firm’s ‘anti-loneliness’ campaign with this event. She said: “Loneliness is a devastating reality for many people, in particular the elderly, and can lead to depression and illness. One dreadful statistic from Age UK is that more than 1million older people go a whole month without talking to another person, that’s truly awful and very upsetting. It’s a cause I’ve cared about for a long time and now, thanks to Vincents, I have an opportunity to do something to help make those connections and provide that support.
She said: “We have a large base of elderly clients, many have lost partners and their friends are gone, and they no longer get out as much as they might like.
As a local branch office we are very much part of the community and I feel very strongly that it is the responsibility of those of us who are able, to provide help and support to the most vulnerable people in our community. My team discussed what we could do to help and thought a lunch club or friendship group might be welcomed. Hopefully the party will be a good opportunity to bring people together to have fun and perhaps make new friends. If successful, it could be the catalyst to establishing a regular lunch club for anyone who experiences loneliness or wants to make new friends here in Garstang.”
Vincents has seven offices across Lancashire, and staff at each will be asked to roll up their sleeves and don their aprons to bake cakes and make sandwiches for the party. On the day, the team will be dressing in a 1950s style and playing music from the time, to commemorate the Queen’s 1953 Coronation and because it is a period many of the guests will remember.
The party is being held at the start of a four-day national celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday which is being held at Windsor Castle May 12-15. Her Majesty’s actual birthday is April 21, but there are events throughout the year, including a second weekend of national events in London, June 10 – 12, when there are also expected to be street parties up and down the country.
Anyone else who wants to attend the party or be a part of the new Garstang Friendship Group should contact Lisa or Lesley at Vincents’ Garstang office on 01995 606 442. Lisa is also encouraging anyone with an elderly relative, neighbour or friend to get in touch and nominate them for a place.