Club News

A group of fifty-six members, partners and friends enjoyed a pre-Christmas dinner on Saturday 6th December.

This year the venue was the Red Lion, Hernhill where the upstairs room had been beautifully decorated.

Guests chose two or three courses from the Christmas menu. The food certainly looked good – and tasted even better.

A light-hearted quiz found out how much – or how little – we know about Christmas and the local area.

What a great start to a busy Festive season for the club!

Club members will be busy in the next few weeks making Christmas “deliveries” across the town.

Advent calendars have already gone to the Foodbank.

Mince pies and chocolates will go to the residents of Cooksditch, Carnalea, Canterbury House and the Almshouses. Cards from pupils at St Mary of Charity Primary and Davington Primary schools will also be delivered after the 15th.

The Umbrella centre will receive mince pies.

Christmas posters from St Mary’s and Davington school pupils will go on display in the tourist information centre from December 15th until the New Year. Do call in to see the colourful images drawn by some of the town’s younger artists.

At one of the Club’s July meetings, members enjoyed an interesting and informative talk about the work of the Strode Park Foundation, presented by Louise Topping the Fundraising, Communications & Events Manager for the Foundation and Claire Dante the Registered Manager for Lady Dane Farmhouse, the Foundation’s residential home in Faversham.

Next year the charitable Foundation will celebrate its 80th anniversary, having been founded in 1946 with the aim of providing permanent homes for young adults with physical disabilities, at the same time offering meaningful occupation, independence and opportunities.

The mission remains the same today, supporting 165 residents with wide-ranging needs in four care homes across Kent.

Lady Dane Farmhouse is home to 14 residents whose ages range from 24 to 65 years and who have a range of physical and learning disabilities, including some residents who are non-verbal. The home encourages people to live as independently as possible and provides a sensory room, an activities room and an outdoor area. Residents’ families also receive the support they need as well.

Claire and the residents and staff team have some great ideas for transforming the outdoor space with wheelchair-accessible planters and a calming sensory garden that will promote well-being for all the residents.

To find out more about the Strode Park Foundation and Lady Dane Farmhouse, or how you can help with fund-raising or volunteering please visit www.strodepark.org.uk