Chemics Cafe marks a year of success
●
WIDNES Vikings have celebrated the one-year anniversary of an award-winning partnership with a national social care charity.
A special edition of the Chemics Café was held to mark the club’s work with Community Integrated Care.
The free monthly event supports people affected by dementia to socialise, have fun and reminisce about special Widnes Vikings moments.
It was one of the first of many programmes that Widnes Vikings and the charity developed as part of their groundbreaking partnership which launched in May 2016.
The union has gone from strength to strength, receiving national acclaim by winning a prestigious award at the 3rd Sector Care Awards in London last year.
More than 40 guests were joined by former Widnes stars Joe Argent, Ray Dutton and Tommy Rimmer who invited everyone up to play rugby ball games and New Age Bowls – a fun, accessible version of traditional lawn bowls.
Precious memorabilia was on display and a Famous Faces quiz tested their Vikings knowledge and provided lots of laughter.
Widnes Vikings education partnerships manager Dan Scott said: “The Chemics Café is one of the biggest successes to come out of our partnership with Community Integrated Care.
“We’re seeing more people from across the community attending or volunteering their time to help run the event.
Dan continues: “I’d like to thank Community Integrated Care for all their support over the past year.
“To receive a national care sec sector award was fantastic and it’s great to see other sports clubs starting up similar initiatives, having been inspired by our success.
“We’re really looking forward to what the next year will bring.”
At the end of the session, Widnes Vikings’ first team stars Jack Buchanan and Eamon O’Carroll took time out of their busy training schedule to visit the café and present a special anniversary cake.
Community Integrated Care’s regional manager in the North West Leanne Dillon said: “Every- ● ● oneo had a brilliant time at the Chemics Café celebrating our anniversary.
“Especially Fred, a resident at St Luke’s Care Home in Runcorn and lifelong Vikings fan, who had the honour of cutting the cake!”
Leanne continues: “Our chari ity is extremely proud of this partnership.
“The club has done so much to enhance the lives of the people we support.
“From delivering health and wellbeing activity sessions, inviting us to match day experiences to visiting us at our care homes – their hard work, commitment and dedication is phenomenal.”
The Chemics Café takes place on the first Wednesday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
For more information visit www.c-i-c.co.uk/chemicscafe