Community-based initiative

People who receive support in their own homes from Caremark Wakefield are now benefiting from a new community-based initiative aimed at combatting loneliness and social isolation.

We recently launched a new regular coffee club for its customers, families, and staff.

Held in a room at the Balne Lane Community Cente, the aim is to bring people together for free refreshments, cake, and activities, with a view to encouraging social interaction, particularly for Caremark customers who live on their own.

It’s also a way of bringing families together so they can meet the carers who look after their loved ones on a regular basis.

At the first session in June, Caremark Wakefield welcomed ten customers, along with some family members and carers.

One of the Caremark customers, Lionel Owen, even entertained people by singing and playing his ukulele. There was also a performance by Aady Nemana, who is the son of Caremark Wakefield Managing Director Julie Oommen.

Julie said: “Many of our customers live on their own, or have no family networks close by, so we were looking at ways of bringing everyone together in a central venue so they could meet new people, have some nice food and enjoy some entertainment.

“We couldn’t have been happier with how well our first coffee club went and we are already looking forward to the next one.

“Companionship is one of our key services, so to be able to put the time we are allocated for this to such good use in this way will have an even more positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people we support in Wakefield.

The next Caremark Coffee Club will take place later in the year.