Luton nurse sets up 'royal experience' to fight loneliness in elderly people
A nurse from Luton has set up a monthly ‘royal experience’ day in a bid to combat loneliness and isolation among older people.
Julian Businge,46, started Royal Elderly Care and Wellbeing CIC in October after her experiences looking after older people in nursing and social care settings.
She said: “I’ve seen people in hospital on their last days, all alone, lonely, or being discharged, and it’s just the ambulance taking them back home.
“I can see that they are lonely, they are struggling… so I just thought, how about we have something that makes them feel special.”
Julian organised the company’s first royal experience day, at Sundon Park Baptist Church, in April, and welcomed people over the age of 65, along with their families and carers.
She explained: “It’s aimed at reducing loneliness and improving mental health, general wellbeing, reducing isolation, and having meaningful relationships in the community and conversations.
“The whole idea is to restore their dignity… they are not just pensioners… but they are still valuable, their stories can still be heard.”
Guests are welcomed with refreshments, icebreaker games, interactive conversations and activities like bingo.
Julian said: “We have a red carpet entrance. You wear tiaras because that’s what we believe you are – you are special.
“It was really good for them to come out and just be somewhere they feel valued and valuable, celebrated.”
The initiative, which is free to attend, runs on the last Saturday of each month from 10am to 1pm.
Julian hopes to welcome more attendees at the next session and get support to expand the service.
She added: “It’s free to attend. Donations are welcome, as it is self-funded. That is the ultimate goal – companionship, being a friend to them, making them feel valued.”
Click here to donate to the fundraiser or get more information.