“This is the most fun I have had since my husband passed away 19 years ago. Thank you!”
– Minnie (Kenbrook Care Home, Wembley)

“After so long, I felt as though someone actually cares about us and realises that we are here.”
– Elderly Resident

““They have made my day!”
– House Carer

“I learnt that old people are just like us. They like to have fun, too.”
– BAPS child-visitor

Photo Gallery

A major concern for the BAPS Community Care Team, based at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, has been the increasing marginalisation of the elderly in our modern society. Inspired by the Hindu ethos of caring for and respecting senior community members, BAPS has worked hard to appreciate the valuable role of the elderly and transmit this awareness to others, especially the young.

To actualise this spirit, BAPS runs an on-going ‘Care for the Elderly’ campaign. Volunteers from the BAPS Community Care Team have joined up with young members from the BAPS Children’s Forum to visit the elderly in care homes, nursing homes and hospital wards around the UK.

The project has received an overwhelming response from both the visited and the visitors. The elders enjoy a fun-packed day of games and cultural entertainment with energetic children, relieving any feelings of isolation and boredom. The young learn to effectively interact with elders and, more importantly, grow from the joy and rewards of bringing joy to others.

In recent years, the Team and children from BAPS have visited over 40 homes and geriatric hospital wards reaching out to hundreds of senior citizens and bringing a smile to their forlorn faces.

An alphabetical list of the homes and hospitals visited over the years includes:

1. Acacia Lodge
2. Anandi House, London
3. Ardul House
4. Ashbourn Healthcare
5. Asra Greater London
6. Birchwood Grange
7. Boscombe Lodge Nursing Home
8. Brook House
9. Buchanan Court
10. Carlton House
11. Central Middlesex Hospital
12. The Children’s Trust
13. Clarendon Nursing Home, Thornton Heath
14. Copland Residential
15. Craven Park Nursing Home
16. Diwali Nivas
17. Eltandia Hall Care Centre
18. Fairway Residential Home
19. Fernbrook House
20. Fosse Court Asian Home
21. Gibsons Nursing Lodge
22. Hays Park
23. Kenbrook Care Home, Wembley
24. Lawfields
25. Maranatha Residential
26. The Mayfield Residential Home
27. Meera House
28. Middlesex Manor Nursing Centre, London
29. Norbury Hall
30. The Old Rectory
31. Parkview
32. Riverview Lodge, London
33. Sandringham
34. Shakti Nursing Home
35. Thornton Lodge, Thornton Heath
36. Tudor House
37. Victoria Court Private Residential Home
38. Villa Maria Private Nursing Home, South Croydon, London
39. Vishram Ghar
40. Vrudha Nivas
41. The Westminster Brook House, London
42. Willow Housing

Testimonials

“I have never received so much kindness as I had this afternoon.”
          – Maude Blaker

“This is the most fun I have had since my husband passed away 19 years ago. Thank you!”
          – Minnie (Kenbrook Care Home, Wembley)

“The programme was very entertaining and we enjoyed it very much.”
          – Merlia

“After so long, I felt as though someone actually cares about us and realises that we are here.”
          – Pradeepbhai

“They have made my day!”
          – Denise, House Carer

“I was touched by the love and concern the children had for my residents.”
          – Irene Berger, House Manager (Meera House, Kingsbury)

“Each of your young ladies is an absolute credit to you and would be welcome here at any time. Their caring and interested approach to our patients was a delight.”
          – Jean Hedgeland, House Supervisor (Villa Maria, South Croydon)

“Both residents and staff are requesting a repeat performance if possible, in the very near future.”
          – Jenny Shepherd, Deputy House Manager (Riverview Lodge, Kingsbury)

“… made us more aware of the world and people around us.”
          – BAPS child-visitor

“I learnt that old people are just like us. They like to have fun, too.”
          – BAPS child-visitor

“We made everyone happy and had fun as well. I would love to do it again.”
          – BAPS child-visitor

To read a brief report of a care home visit in the local Brent Leader, click here.