Community
Black Swan Care Group is continually looking for new ways in which we can engage with our local community. As well as hosting open days in which we invite our neighbours into the home, we also like to take ourselves into the wider community. We partner with a number of local businesses and charities to ensure our residents receive the most exciting and enriching experiences whilst within our care. It’s important to us that each of our residents is treated like the amazing individuals that they are and we tailor activities and community projects with their interests in mind.
We are the proud sponsor of a number of fully accessible performances at the Norwich Theatre Royal and are happy to arrange group outings for our thespians, with residents even taking part in theatre and dance workshops with the talented cast members.
Beeches theatre workshop: Residents of The Beeches in East Harling,
Norfolk took part in the Red Shoes theatre workshop at Norwich Theatre Royal, January 2020.
We also sponsor a number of football teams local to our homes, with residents and staff enjoying regular trips together to support their teams. We have even had members of the Norwich FC Academy players visit our care homes to talk about the great game with fans within our homes, and are currently working on partnering with Clacton FC U18s for some penpal opportunities with our homes in Essex.
Residents at Laurel Lodge in Norwich were treated to a special visit from members of Norwich FC Academy in February 2020 to discuss the great game.
We are involved within local schools, church groups, and nurseries who visit our residents, as well as regular pen pal schemes throughout 2020.
Some of our elderly homes work alongside Yopey – a charity that encourages intergenerational friendships through their Dementia Befrienders scheme which sees children and young adults throughout the country partner with care homes to create friendships with individuals living with Dementia.
Our Charity of the Year for 2019-2020 is Friend in Deed. Friend in Deed was founded in 2018 with the purpose to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded. Relieving the needs of older people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society, by providing social and recreational facilities and events involving the local community.
Our chosen Charity of the Year for 2017-2018 was Family Action, specifically the Norfolk Escape Allotment and Orchard Project where they support people by encouraging their involvement in community activities such as supporting people to be active and to feel valued members of society. They equip them with skills and experience to increase their independence, self-esteem, and confidence. This in turn empowers service users to address their mental health problems and plays a part in their recovery or health management plans. Their work produces long-term and significantly positive effects for their futures. Our first event since announcing our partnership was a very well-turned-out race night which raised £1586.80.
Staff from our head office took part in the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival in aid of East Coast Hospice. Our team The Black Swan’s raised £1,425 for East Coast Hospice and narrowly missed out on the semi-finals.
We are also members of the Essex FaNs Network. The idea at the heart of FaNs is a simple one. If the people, groups, organisations, and businesses that make up “the community” of Essex, think of the people who live in care homes as being their friends and neighbors, no less than when they were living in their own homes, then together we can make a really positive difference to the quality of their lives. What is more, in many cases, our elderly residents can do the same for you. The opportunities and possibilities are virtually limitless. The community of FaNs is already growing fast and attracting attention nationally as well.
Black Swan Care Group proudly sponsors Elmden Rovers Football Club under 10’s in Essex.
Elmden Rovers was formed in 1976 by Les Pepperell. At the time there was only one other youth team in the area (Clacton United). Les felt that there were enough good players in the area to support a second youth club. So he entered an under 10’s team in the Colchester and District Youth League in 1976, as Elmden Rovers Youth. He named the team after the road he lived in (Elmden Court).
We also sponsor the under 13’s (soon to be under 14’s) team at North Walsham Rugby Club in Norfolk.
Our Charity of the Year for 2015-2016 was The Hamlet Charity who supports children and young adults with disabilities and complex health conditions (as well as carers and families) across Norfolk and the surrounding area. Our partnership with The Hamlet promises to bring lots of exciting news.
If you are involved in a community project or sports team and would like to apply for sponsorship you can do so by contacting Tom Lyons (Managing Director) tom@blackswan.co.uk
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