ABOUT
The Elderly Care Project is hosted by the Islamic Diversity Centre on a monthly basis in both Teesside and Newcastle, with the Newcastle team covering centres in Whitley Bay and Walker. At the start of every month, the teams visit the local elderly community for some lunch and social activities, such as beauty sessions, henna, jewellery making, board games, Hijab awareness activities, festive food testing during the time of Eid and much more.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this initiative is firstly to put into practice the teaching of Islam that encourages Muslims to care for the elderly.
Anas bin Malik narrated that:
“An older man came to talk to the Prophet, and the people were hesitant to make room for him. The Prophet said, ‘He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.’ Jami at-Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 25 (Hasan, Darussalam)
The team spend time with the attendees, engage in conversation and are always at hand to answer any questions regarding Islam and Muslims and to help clear up any misconceptions they may have.
The attendees have shown great appreciation for the Elderly Care Project, and where the attendees have often expressed loneliness and signs of depression, the Islamic Diversity Centre members have been there to offer company and a good old chat.
A number of volunteers have stated that the project has given them the opportunity to give back to the community, while others have felt their involvement has massively helpedbuild their confidence. The Elderly Care Project is a two-way platform for learning. The attendees learn from the Islamic Diversity Centre members about Islam in its authentic form and the members learn from the attendees and their experiences.
Islamic Diversity Centre are proud to highlight that Elderly Care Project members are Dementia Friends- An initiative by the Alzheimer’s Society to help understand and support those in our communities that are living with Dementia.
The members would love to offer the project to more centres and support the wider elderly community; however, volunteers and sponsors would be required to make this happen. To support the Islamic Diversity Centre in carrying out its great work please donate or join the team now.