Well-being activities keep Christmas cheer up for those in Stockport Homes’ Temporary Accommodation

Stockport Homes Temporary Accommodation service has delivered a number of well-being activities for those being supported this Christmas.

The Temporary Accommodation (TA) service provides a safety net when every other door is closed, and for many people it’s the last option.

During the whole year, and especially now during the Christmas time when many people can’t visit their families, the team at temporary accommodation works hard to make sure that there’s time for a variety of activities that help the customers’ mental and physical well-being. A lot of these activities couldn’t go ahead without the help from volunteers and different charities and they range from gardening, arts and crafts, cooking classes, personal-trainer sessions, English and maths classes and boxing to furniture upcycling.

One of the tenants at Brinnington temporary accommodation, Noreen (pictured), was taking part in the furniture upcycling workshop and putting finishing touches to a table she had painted and has some good news:

I just heard yesterday that I have been offered my own place in Woodley, I am going to go and see the place after I have finished decorating my table. It comes at a good time as my granddaughter lives with me, and this table will make a lovely Christmas present for her. This is my first time trying something like this, and I think this will be something I can do even after leaving temporary accommodation.”

Nicholas, a tenant living at Lancashire Hill, taking part in the upcycling workshop is also making a Christmas present, to his son who lives in Wales:

I do enjoy this, but boxing is my favourite. I have an impulse control disorder and it really helps with that. If there were no activities, I would get bored and probably get into mishap. And with boxing, you also get fit, what’s not to like!”

Usually, this time of the year, temporary accommodation residents would be gathering to enjoy a Christmas meal together at their annual Christmas party. Rhian Waterhouse, Charity Engagement Assistant said:

We toyed with the idea of getting everyone together but inviting over 40 people with social distancing in place just wasn’t feasible. Luckily, we can still deliver the meals to our residents to the schemes so they will get to enjoy them.”

Jenny Osbourne, Chair of Stockport Homes Board said:

It’s great to see that even during a very difficult year, our teams are able to deliver the vital services at our temporary accommodation schemes. Hearing the positive feedback from our tenants, it’s more important than ever that the activities and Christmas cheer doesn’t get cancelled, but instead get carried out in a safe way for everyone to enjoy.”