A year – and a season – of joy with BaptistCare at home social clubs

The latest National Seniors survey has found that relationships and social engagement are among the 11 paths to happiness for older people.  

Having something to look forward to can be just as powerful. Anticipating events and special moments can help reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance wellbeing.

Across NSW and the ACT, BaptistCare at home social clubs are a form of day respite, offering short-term care for seniors and temporary relief for their carers. They bring older people together throughout the year to share engaging activities, enjoy conversation and build lasting friendships.  

At Christmas, that sense of connection becomes even more meaningful, with a month of celebrations and a shared sense of joy. Here’s how just some of our social clubs have spent the year and how they’ll be celebrating Christmas together in 2025. 

A year of connection, creativity and community

Ashfield Social Club 

Ashfield’s social club enjoyed a vibrant, joy-filled year, from hands-on gardening during a visit from Bunnings, to a colourful carnival parade with homemade masks and dancing. Creativity thrived on Picasso Day, while Easter egg painting, Cinco de Mayo celebrations and barramundi artwork for NAIDOC Week added plenty of variety.

A fun round of putt putt, Diwali sand-art mandalas, Halloween crafts and a memorable mummy-wrapping competition, along with outings to Balmoral, Mosman Gallery and Manly gave clients many wonderful opportunities to relax, connect and explore.

The team is now turning to the festive season, with a special Christmas lunch on 22 December, plus pavlova-making, card crafting and festive trivia in the lead-up. 

Celebrating all year round

Elderslie Social Club 

Friendships across the region

Central West and Midstate Social Clubs

The Central West and Midstate social clubs enjoyed a wonderful year of connection and exploration, travelling across the region to towns including Dubbo, Parkes, Gulargambone, Bathurst, Mudgee and Millthorpe. Outings took clients to the Beekeeper’s Inn, Molong sheep trials, Dubbo Zoo, the Parkes Telescope, the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre and several galleries and museums.

They also shared chair travel days, morning teas with chaplains and celebrations for NAIDOC Week, R U OK? Day, Older Persons Day, ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and the Melbourne Cup.

Some of the most meaningful moments came from time spent together – baking, chocolate making, gardening, creating crafts, playing trivia and sharing stories – building friendships that last well beyond club days. With Christmas approaching, the clubs are looking forward to celebrations across the region. 

A year of outings, music and meaningful moments

Wallsend & West Gosford Social Clubs

The Wallsend and West Gosford social clubs enjoyed a lively year of outings, creativity and shared moments. Clients visited art galleries, heard from guest speakers, rode tandem bikes in Swansea, explored pearl farms, took ferry rides to Palm Beach and enjoyed country drives.

There were art and bead-making classes, rainbow-themed days, Halloween fun and a Melbourne Cup barbecue. Monthly musical visits encouraged even the shyest clients to join in, while ‘show and tell’ sessions deepened connections and highlighted how much the club means to them.

As the Christmas season approaches, clients have been making festive paper trees and beaded gifts for loved ones. Celebrations will include two gatherings with visiting musicians, a client playing the organ and a special visit from Santa.