Dene Holm, a residential home in Northfleet, Kent, has held a special party to celebrate Diwali for residents and members of staff.

The festival celebrations were organised by members of staff at the home, who put on similar events at Dene Holm every year. Members of staff and residents were encouraged to invite their families into the home to take part, so the lounge was full up and had a great atmosphere before the celebrations began. Over 30 residentsgathered in the home’s largest lounge in anticipation of the event on the morning of 26^th October, the first day of this year’s Diwali festival.

Residents who wished to participate had a tilaka marked on their forehead and barfl, traditional Diwali sweets, were passed around before the celebrations began. Residents were treated to music and dancing by some of the home’s members of staff and their families, with quite of few of them choosing to join in!

Being the festival of lights, no Diwali party would be complete without fireworks; members of staff led the residents as they celebrated with sparklers along to the music. To finish off the celebrations, guests were treated to a speciallunch, with unique culinary delights befitting the occasion.

Like all Abbeyfield Kent homes, Dene Home practices the Eden Principles, a concept that helps eradicate loneliness, helplessness and boredom. The Diwali celebrations were an extension of the Society’s commitment Eden Principles, with the residents benefitting from the involvement and participation in the Diwali party.

Taofeek Bolakale, home manager at Dene Holm, commented: “I have only recently started working at Dene Holm, but the tradition of holding a party to celebrate Diwali goes back several years. It was truly wonderful to see residents, members of staff and relatives all taking part on such a special occasion. I am very proud of the members of staff who organised the celebrations, which the residents and our visitors enjoyed tremendously.”