Silver Sunday at Beccles Hospital

East Coast Community Healthcare’s staff at Beccles Hospital held a tea party for patients to mark Silver Sunday.

Those receiving care on Minsmere Ward and their visitors enjoyed afternoon tea, including cake made by the staff, while joining in with a sing-along of old time favourites with singer Jodie Sturman. The day room was decorated with silver bunting and balloons.

Silver Sunday is a national event which celebrates the value and knowledge older people contribute to communities. It also aims to combat loneliness and isolation. 

During the event at Beccles Hospital a special gift was given to the oldest patient on the ward, a 95 year old woman from Earsham. The staff presented her with a picture of the Mayday Hospital in Croydon where she was born. Each patient was given a silver party bag with items including puzzle books, sweets and a notepad and pen.

Hospital Matron Sue Jenkins said: “We wanted to do our bit to celebrate the older generation and show them how much we value them. Some of our patients don’t have family to visit them so we also hoped to help them forge friendships that will last after their stay on Minsmere Ward and, in that way, help to tackle loneliness. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.”

Silver Sunday was launched in 2012 by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation after a report discovered more than a third of people over 75 said they were lonely. In 2018 there were nearly 1,000 events organised around the UK.