PICTURES: Forres seniors find joy in music and community at Caring Community Circle event

OLDER adults in Forres enjoyed an afternoon of music, laughter, and community bonding during the inaugural event of a new program created by Caring Community Circle (CCC).

The first of four social events planned by Caring Community Circle took place at the Mosset Tavern on Thursday (April 4). During the event attendees were treated to live and recorded music and refreshments and were given the opportunity to begin crafting their personal "Playlist for Life" - a concept introduced by the dementia charity, Playlist for Life.

The Caring Community Circle, a division of the Park Ecovillage Trust (PET), recently secured a £4,000 grant from the Auchernack Trust, administered by the Moray Council. The trust supports activities run by groups and organisations creating projects or activities benefiting older adults in the Forres area. The grant funding will be used for four events to support the mental and emotional health and wellbeing older adults in Forres, which will take place throughout 2024.

During the event, many of the CCC volunteers and social attendees got up and had a dance and a laugh in between enjoying the excellent food. CCC volunteers were also very touched by the many special memories that were shared whilst working with the Playlist for Life resources with attendees.

Laura Shreenan, Caring Community Coordinator of the CCC said: "These events are designed to foster social enjoyment, reduce loneliness, promote overall wellbeing and provide practical benefits as attendees work on their own Playlists for Life, among other themes.

"We are excited to include live musical entertainment and involve family members in these gatherings, promoting friendship, physical activity, community spirit and health and well-being."

CCC's primary objective is to hold awareness of the needs of people of all ages in the Community and to link volunteers and other resources to those in need of help with health, social care, and mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Primarily focusing on older adults, CCC has already delivered various forms of assistance, including dementia awareness training, social gatherings, health and social care advocacy, and end-of-life planning and support. They regularly hold peer chat and support groups on the themes of Ageing Gratefully, Dementia, Tinnitus, Insomnia and Conversations on Death.

CCC is gearing up to broaden its reach by hosting regular events and extending its services to the residents of Forres. The first big event was a great success and the next social event is expected to take place in the early summer.