Downpatrick Community come Together for Festive Christmas Lunch

24th December 2024
Senior Social Work Practitioners Aine Brannigan And Julie McAleese Take Time To Meet With Santa And Mrs Claus

Downpatrick’s Owenbeg’s Bowling Club opened its doors to welcome the community for a festive lunch with a special appearance from Santa and Mrs Claus.

Those families in attendance took part in singing, dancing and a Christmas raffle as everyone entered into the spirit of the season.

Social Worker Christina Freel explained how the event was a chance to experience some Christmas cheer and “socially connect.”

“We try to get people who, ordinarily, might not go out for events. This is very much an opportunity for our elderly community, who perhaps might not have family around, or they come with their family to have and enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer, get together and socially connect.”

Event attendee Bernie Torrens-Spence said, “My mum is 94 and a half and in the very early stages of dementia, so we thought this would be a lovely way for mummy, my aunt, my sister and I to spend a lovely time before Christmas socialising and mixing in with other members of the community.