With Christmas markets a firm festive favourite, a care home in Glasgow has found a novel way to make sure that residents don’t miss out, by setting up a market inside the home.
Staff at the Bupa Highgate care home hosted a pop-up Christmas market on 8 December. Ensuring there was something for everyone, the market had a range of stalls including those selling gifts and cakes, and a stall selling food and drink run by the kitchen staff. There was also a raffle and a tombola.
Designed to bring families and friends together, while also helping residents get in the Christmas spirit, the home initially trialled the idea in 2016. Having proved a huge hit, the team were keen to bring it back this year.
Michelle Ferrey, home manager at the Bupa Highgate care home, says: “Not all our residents can get out to Christmas markets, which is why we’ve worked hard to bring the Christmas markets to them!
“All the staff get really involved and encourage our residents to come outside and visit the different stalls and join in the Christmas fun. We have a range of stalls which means it is almost like going to the Christmas stalls in George Square. For those who fancy a little tipple, we even have a dram of honey whiskey for our residents and their families to enjoy.
“When we first came up with the idea we thought it would be a great way for residents and families to get together at Christmas and enjoy the Christmas markets that they might otherwise miss out on. It’s a nice way to bring everyone together for a dose of Christmas spirit and enjoy a tradition of visiting the markets that most will look back on fondly. Everyone has a lovely time, especially when we get the music playing for our Christmas sing along.”
