Hundreds of tenants of local community housing provider Home in Place have come together to celebrate the festive season at various Christmas events.
More than 100 people attended the Newcastle family picnic at Richardson Park in Hamilton North on Monday, while a similar function took place in Muswellbrook.
Meanwhile, there were lunches in Scone and Singleton and barefoot bowls in Charlestown, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock.
Home in Place CEO Australia Lyndall Robertshaw was thrilled to see plenty of smiles at the events, which also included games, showbags, painted faces and a visit from Santa.
“The annual functions are one of the ways we engage with our tenants,” she said.
“It provides an opportunity for them to socialise with each other, too.
“This year residents from Special Disability Accommodation homes that Home in Place manage were also invited to attend Christmas events and some tenants in group homes had their own Christmas craft morning teas.
“One of tenants at the Newcastle Christmas party was close to tears when she won the lucky door prize of a bike and helmet.
“She will give it to her daughter who was hoping for a bike or scooter for Christmas.
“She’s a very worthy recipient because her daughter has been sourcing gifts to give to other people who have nothing.
“These events really bring out the best of the spirit of Christmas.”
Mr Robertshaw admitted many Home in Place tenants did it tough at the best of times.
“They are bearing the brunt of cost-of-living pressures,” she said.
“So, we like to have a day where people can forget about what’s going on for them and enjoy themselves.
“Engaging tenants to give them skills and support to participate fully in their community is an important part of what are about.
“But, everyone deserves a bit of Christmas fun and magic.”
Home in Place is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit community housing provider managing more than 7000 social, affordable and disability properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
For more community stories:
- Salvos celebrate huge haul for Christmas donation drive
- Christmas stroke inspires Newcastle treechange
- Deborah Hutton to launch HMF being On the Spot for 35 years
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