Residents and staff at Stanway Green Lodge Care Home have brought the spirit of Harvest to life this year by creating gift bags filled with warm treats for their local community. The bags, containing teas, coffees, hot chocolates, and a variety of biscuits and cakes, were donated to Community 360 and the Mersea Community Centre, delighting recipients across the area.
For the resident’s, giving back was just as rewarding as receiving. One resident said:
“Knowing the gift bags would be donated to the local community made the event more fun and rewarding.”
Another reflected: “Harvest is something that we don’t celebrate these days like we used to, so it was nice to share something at this time of year.”
Aniket Kanitkar, manager at Stanway Green Lodge, praised the community effort:
“This was such a lovely example of how the local community can work together. We are grateful to Community 360 and, in particular, Molly and Wiktoria for going the extra mile to support our Harvest Gift Bag project. Everyone here was delighted to hear the reactions of those receiving the gift bags.”
The reaction from the community was immediate and heartwarming. Doug Warner, a C360 driver who delivered the gift bags, said, “When I gave the gift bags over, everyone was so pleased and so grateful. It was lovely to see their reactions.”
Olasoji Akinniyi, Head of Connecting Community at C360, explained the significance of gestures like these:
“It means a great deal to me to see care homes extend such kindness to our isolated service users. Gestures like these remind us that transport is more than just getting people from A to B. It’s about connection, dignity, and community.”
Recipients were quick to share their appreciation. Nisha Patel, a long-time C360 transport user, said, “I’m phoning to say thank you for this gift. I am overwhelmed with gratitude—C360 drivers are so lovely and thank you so much to Stanway Green Lodge.”
Similarly, John Bull, another recipient, shared a personal reflection:
“Gary dropped off a gift bag. It made me feel very happy. I’ve always had a good relationship with all the drivers since 2017 after coming back to England from Germany. Everyone is nice and friendly, and I especially enjoyed the banter with Martyn Green. A special thank you to Maureen for the gift.”
This remarkable initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration, bringing together Stanway Green Lodge Care Home, Community360, and Mersea Community Centre to create meaningful connections within the community. Through their innovative programs and shared vision, these organisations are fostering a stronger, more connected neighbourhood. Their collective efforts demonstrate resilience, ensuring that support and engagement continue despite challenges. Guided by integrity, each partner is committed to transparent, ethical, and impactful community work. Above all, the project celebrates inclusivity, reinforcing the sense of unity that strengthens the heart of the community.”
