BUPA ORGANISE 1940s INSPIRED TEA DANCE

Residents and staff from Bupa’s Park Avenue Nursing Home, Leeds, West Yorkshire were treated to a very special performance, when team members from Care Services’ Accounts Payable and Purchasing Support departments, based in Horsforth, performed a 1940s inspired Tea Dance on Sunday 4 July. Residents and staff were treated to a two hour show that included dressing of the home with bunting, table dressings and cake plates, listening and dancing to an array of big band music, a 45 minute live music show of popular music and sing-a-longs from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s performed by ‘The Old Time String Band’ and a game of bingo followed by a serving of tea and cake. The performances were organised to raise money for a community challenge in August, which will see members of the Accounts Payable and Purchasing Support teams taking elderly people, from some of the poorest areas of Leeds, on a day trip to Castle Howard followed by a fish and chip supper. The trip has been organised in association with ‘Zest – Health for life’ a Leeds based volunteer run charity who aim to strengthen disadvantaged communities in Leeds and reduce health and social inequalities. In addition to the tea dance, team members have been raising money to fund the trip through cake sales, raffles and car washing in an attempt to raise the much needed £800. Martyn Roper, Bupa’s Accounts Payable team member and one half of ‘The Old Time String Band says, “We had a great time performing for the residents and everyone had a great day. Those residents with dementia were given a chance to rekindle fond memories of the good old days and all the money raised from our fundraising initiatives will help fund a great cause to help elderly people in Leeds enjoy a great day out.” Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community affairs consultant, said: “I’d like to thank colleagues for their generous support. The team did a tremendous job organising this event, all in their own time. Zest are really pleased to work with Bupa again and everyone is looking forward to the trip. Working with communities is an integral part of Bupa Care Services agenda.”