The Rotary Club of Stafford Knot asked us to help bring people together for a lunch among friends.
The organisation had hoped to hold an event last Christmas but the pandemic meant a change of plan. Instead, it was re-arranged to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee, with support from the Homes Plus My Community Fund.
The club hosted a splendid lunch to mark the unique royal milestone. Local people who can sometimes experience loneliness in the community, were invited as their special guests.
Homes Plus helped to cover the costs of the event, making sure that it was accessible to everyone. The happy group enjoyed a fabulous meal and a lot of laughter before raising their glasses in a toast to the Queen.
Homes Plus customer and Rotary member Gill Hamilton, offered lifts to some of her neighbours so they could be part of the special occasion. She said: “This is our first community activity since lockdown and it’s great for everyone to be able to get out and be together. The food has been excellent and we have really enjoyed ourselves.”
Samantha Allcott is our director of housing. She explained why we were delighted to support the project: “Homes Plus sets out to make a positive difference to homes, lives and communities. Our My Community Fund helps us to do that in partnership with the people, charities and organisations behind some amazing local projects.
“We particularly wanted to back this event because it benefited so many people who were able to reconnect with friends after a long period of social distancing. Loneliness and isolation are very significant problems, particularly among older people who may live alone and on such a happy occasion, it was lovely to be part of a lunch bringing people together. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Stafford Knot, for all the work that went in to a great afternoon.”
Our head of housing, Kevin Davies, is pictured with some of the Rotarians and their guests at the Jubilee lunch.
Voluntary and community groups can learn more about the Homes Plus My Community Fund, here: www.homesplus.co.uk/help-and-advice/sponsorship.