A TEESSIDE care home, Gables Care Home, has teamed up with a charity to tackle the challenges faced by elderly members of the LGBT community.
The Gables Care Home has begun working with Hart Gables, which supports all those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans (LGBT) in the North East.
The partnership is part of the Stockton-on-Tees based charity’s ongoing project – Ageing with Pride in Middlesbrough.
They aim to help elderly members of the LGBT community in need of support find a care home or sheltered housing.
Development workers from Hart Gables visited The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, in Middlesbrough, to run an arts and crafts workshop.
The session was held for all residents – irrespective of whether they were part of the LGBT community or not – as a way for the charity to gain experience of working with elderly people.
Andy Towers and Sian Parker, from Hart Gables, worked with the residents to create rainbow coloured baskets. 
Andy said:
“All the residents and staff who took part were so friendly and welcoming, and it is clear how dedicated they are to providing the best care for the residents. The rainbow colours of the baskets sparked discussion of the Hart Gables Age with Pride project, which aims to support LGBT+ residents of care homes and sheltered housing across Middlesbrough. Hart Gables is excited about engaging with The Gables Care Home to promote safe, welcoming and inclusive care environments for older LGBT+ people.”
Sian added:
“It was delightful to meet the residents and we had a really great afternoon. I work with volunteers at Hart Gables, and encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to consider care home work.”
Kate Charlton, home manager at The Gables Care Home, said:
“We approached the LGBT charity Hart Gables to see if we could find common ground in helping with the challenges faced by elderly people from the LGBT community who may develop dementia and need to look for a care placement. They were also looking to work with a care home and people living in sheltered housing as part of their Ageing with Pride project, so it was a great opportunity to start working together. The residents all had a great time at the first of what we hope will be many arts and crafts sessions with the charity’s development workers. We look forward to welcoming them back in future.”
