The ‘Safe Place’ initiative was originally launched by Caremark Redcar and Cleveland in 2019 and brought together on a weekly basis, staff, and customers of the homecare company in a social setting at Redcar Town Football Club. Each week, on Tuesdays, a dedicated team from Caremark Redcar and Cleveland plan and facilitate different activities for those taking part, including dominoes, quizzes, crosswords, arts and crafts and exercise. And Caremark’s dog therapy dogs are also frequent visitors, bringing pleasure to people who used to have dogs or other pets at home. Safe Place events coordinator Oriana Wilcock said: “It’s a place where people can come to build friendships and benefit from regular social interaction and stimulation. “Many of the people who attend live by themselves with no family networks close by, so Safe Place gives them the chance to meet others and learn new skills in a safe environment.”One of the regular Safe Place attendees, Barbara Clark, said: “I look forward to attending Safe Place each week and meeting and chatting to the new friends I have made here.

Source: The Times November 05, 2023 11:05 UTC