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04 December 2025
Stories
| Home Care
For many older Australians, happiness is closely tied to connection – with family, friends, or a supportive community of like-minded people. These are things we see regularly at our BaptistCare at home social clubs, especially at Christmas.
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.
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.
At Elderslie, clients help shape the year’s activities, and 2025 has been full of fun, creativity and connection. Highlights included two Golden Girl Fashions runway shows, an alpaca farm visit, flower-arranging workshops and whimsical Mad Hatter’s tea parties.
A cheerful ukulele morning, regular themed days and outings kept clients busy, four of whom received a Stronger Hearts gold award for attending 100 sessions.
Elderslie is now preparing for a Christmas concert and morning tea visit from Elderslie Public School, a festive gathering on 17 December, and a relaxed final day for 2025 on 23 December, featuring a Christmas movie, ice cream and sweets.
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.
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.
At BaptistCare’s social clubs, new friendships form, traditions are celebrated, people are included and families know their loved one is being supported, engaged and meeting with people at a similar stage of life.
This is never more true than at Christmas time, when moments spent together help build confidence, foster joy and strengthen connection.
If someone you love could benefit from regular social interaction, fun activities and a warm, welcoming community, at Christmastime and throughout the year, visit here or contact us on 1300 275 227 to find out more.
