AW Ballymena resident Diana Benbow with family
Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association (A&W) recently celebrated Abbeyfield Week (10-17 June) by hosting a series of engaging events across their houses in Northern Ireland.
Abbeyfield Week is an annual celebration during which Abbeyfield opens its doors to the local community, inviting friends, neighbours, and supporters to join in a variety of activities designed to foster connection and companionship.
This year’s theme focused on what residents cherish most about living in Abbeyfield & Wesley. The events included coffee mornings, picnics, and buffet lunches, providing an opportunity for residents, staff, and volunteers to come together and celebrate the unique, family-like atmosphere that defines life at Abbeyfield & Wesley.
AW Ballymena chat Paul McCormick area social worker with resident Diana Benbow and her family
The event kicked off in Bangor, Ward Avenue, Hamilton Road, and Ballyholme Road, who collectively enjoyed a coffee morning. The Parade, Donaghadee followed suit with its own coffee morning on June 12 with similar festivities. Merville Garden Village and Greenisland houses also held coffee mornings, while Ballymena invited guests in for a buffet lunch on June 13. Ballymoney wheeled out the cakes and tea for its own coffee morning, while the Portstewart residence hosted a picnic lunch. Lurgan and Downpatrick also hosted coffee mornings. The Sheltered Housing Scheme at Bryans House in Newtownabbey welcomed Earlview Primary School on June 10 and Wesley Court in Carrickfergus was also part of the celebrations, hosting its own coffee morning with Carrickfergus Model Primary School on June 14.
Patrick Thompson, Chief Executive of Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association, commented on the significance of Abbeyfield Week. He said:
"Abbeyfield Week is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the vibrant, supportive community that makes Abbeyfield & Wesley so special. Our residents often describe their homes as places of warmth and belonging, and these events are a testament to the strong bonds we build within our homes and with the wider community."
AW Ballymena Rosanne Cecil volunteer with AW CEO Patrick Thompson
Abbeyfield & Wesley offers more than just housing for older people; it provides a nurturing environment where residents can enjoy companionship, home-cooked meals, and a range of activities that promote well-being and social engagement. Each house is designed to foster a close-knit community, ensuring that every resident feels like part of a family.
The houses in Northern Ireland are located in Ballymena, Ballymoney, Bangor, Donaghadee, Downpatrick, Greenisland, Holywood, Lurgan, Newtownabbey, and Portstewart. The houses offer ensuite bedrooms, daily home-cooked meals, support from dedicated staff, and various safety features such as a Careline pendant for enhanced security. The NI houses accommodate a maximum of 10 residents, ensuring they provide a family style setting for those living there.
To learn more about Abbeyfield & Wesley, enquire about rooms and flats that are currently available or explore the possibility of becoming part of the Abbeyfield family, please contact Helen Collins, Regional Housing and Support Manager, at 07587 657244.
Virtual tours and comprehensive information can also be found on the Abbeyfield & Wesley website at www.abbeyfieldandwesley.org.uk or via email at info@abbeyfieldandwesley.org.uk.