Recognising how the pandemic had a detrimental impact on people’s ability to connect with others, we have been keen to organise an event where we can bring both the people we support and our colleagues together.  

The pandemic impacted, in particular, on the people we support who have learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. They experienced a loss of routine, activities and contact with family and friends that was hard to understand and difficult to cope with. 

As a number of the people we support are more vulnerable to COVID, and with increasing infections, we made the decision to postpone our party planned last September. We hope by moving the event to June this year we are able to enjoy a mixture of indoor and outdoor space (with British weather permitting!)  

The party will be held at Mereside Community Centre in Shrewsbury on June 3rd and we will be welcoming all staff, people we support and carers for an afternoon of fun, with music, dancing, games, a raffle and food.  

The party will bring everyone involved with Bethphage together while; thanking our staff for their hard work and dedication, and rebuilding social connections following the increased feelings of loneliness and isolation that occurred over the pandemic.  

How can you support Bethphage with this event?  

With the cost-of-living crisis and year on year reduction in funding from local authorities, our party will be organised and paid for via volunteers willing to give up their time to plan and help on the day and we will utilise various fundraising initiatives.  

As a friend of Bethphage, you can support this event by:  

• Donating a prize for our raffle  
• Donating to our party fundraiser page  
• Sharing any newsletters social media about our fundraising to encourage others to support it.  
• Supporting our dog walk fundraiser on 20th May at 11am £3 donation on entry per person, click for details. 
• Donate/loan games we can play on the day  

If you would like to help in any way you can then, please contact Alice Blakeman on 07889113054 or email marketing@bethphage.co.uk