
A Christmas party for a group of local people with learning difficulties and mental health problems went with a real swing at Teynham Village Hall near Sittingbourne in Kent last week.
The festive get-together was arranged by the team at Berkeley House, a Regard residential home, and was attended by over 50 service users and 30 staff from eight of Regard’s nearby services, who enjoyed a Christmas disco with lots of their favourite seasonal songs and a festive buffet.
Some of the highlights were a visit from Santa, who came bearing gifts, and the judging of a ‘design-and-make-your-own’ cracker competition, which everyone involved really enjoyed.
Alison Fraser, service manager for Berkeley House said: “Among our guests were some non-verbal individuals, who raised their thumbs and smiled to show how much they were enjoying themselves, while others – including some physically disabled people – told us what a great party they thought it was.
“We put a lot of effort into organising an event that everyone would enjoy, and my team and I were delighted that everyone had such a good time.”

Service users at the party came from Regard services located in Lynsted, Hythe, Sittingbourne, Herne Bay, Chilham, Bobbing and Rochester.