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We have opened our doors to older people at our ElderLink centre in Acocks Green for over 40 years. In these post-Covid times we have found that fewer people have come to us in the building, but at the same time we are experiencing wonderful openings into local care homes and private residences. If older people can’t come to us, we can go to them!  

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As a team, we are excited by the opportunity to go into care homes and speak the gospel to those who believe and those who do not. For this generation of older people, many will have heard Christian truths in school or Sunday School and these perhaps lie like dormant seeds ready to be watered. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, 'I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.' We count it a privilege to do the watering work as we trust the God who can transform hearts.

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Most of the older people we visit are living with dementia but we find that those who would normally not easily converse can be lucid when it comes to singing hymns or saying the Lord’s Prayer familiar from childhood. I love to catch the eyes of residents and smile as we sing together. The joy of music for someone living with dementia can give them a lift in their spirits which will remain with them for the day, and we hope that the Lord Jesus can do an even longer lasting work for eternity.

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We also stimulate the senses of the older people through the use of props, visual aids and tactile activities such as crafts and games. For our current 'I AM' series Nina, who recently joined the staff team, plays the flute and her husband has crafted a wooden gate. It is a blessing to be able to share that the good news of the rich and full life that can be found through Jesus, The Gate, to those who are stripped of busyness, travel, possessions, family and a home to call their own. John 10:10 says, 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.'

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In the six care homes we visit the staff also witness our words and interactions with the older people and are grateful to have us visit. One manager recently thanked us as we left, saying, 'They’ll be talking about this all day.' We don’t know how long this door will remain open but we plan to increase our care home visits as we free up time by closing the Coffee Club. In the meantime we are  carefully transitioning our ten or so regular Coffee Club friends. Some will be visited in their own homes and we are re-directing others to local clubs and activities in churches, libraries and community centres around Acocks Green.

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Catherine Tresham, ElderLink Manager

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