Pampering Norfolk outreach seeks to expand
A band of Norfolk women who offer pampering sessions to the elderly are calling for more volunteers so they can enlarge their successful outreach.
The scheme that revolutionises the lives of dozens in their twilight years at residential homes featured on Christian broadcasting channel, Revelation TV, on June 15 after it was publicised on the Network Norfolk website in January. Sandie Shirley reports.
“I hope the programme will encourage others to put faith in action where they live as it only takes a few hours a fortnight to provide a simple act of kindness to transform these men and women’s lives,” says Sharon Plummer, President of the Norwich chapter of Aglow International who launched the outreach sessions four months ago after her mission trip to Romania last autumn.
Sharon appeared live on Revelation TV on June 15 with national board members of the women’s Christian organisation to provide viewers with the full story behind the outreach at care homes in the Norwich area.
The mother of two, and a Norwich Street pastor and YMCA worker, was among the first UK candidates from Aglow to visit Romania during its small missions outreach. With other Aglow representatives, she provided hands-on support during a seven-day whistle-stop tour of orphanages, churches and homes for youngsters and old folk. It included providing hand massages at a country orphanage which became a weekly hair and beauty salon for 20 elderly women when they used the shower facilities.
The scheme has been tailored to
Carleton House near Mulbarton and
Cromwell House, Norwich.
“We wanted them to feel special and loved,” says Sharon whose team provide hand and foot massages, apply nail varnish, if appropriate, share the gospel and pray when they are sick.
To offer new creative ways to share God’s love we will also give away donated gift-tagged bags of jewellery so every lady is reminded that they are a treasured jewel in the eyes of God, explains Sharon. “We have also organised for one volunteer’s daughter to visit the homes and play her cello. One lady commented that she felt she was treated like royalty and in the lap of luxury. Our outreach has also had a positive knock-on effect with the staff,” says Sharon.
Recently she saw one lady of nearly 90, make a faith commitment following her visits. “When I asked her if she needed anything specific, she replied: ‘Just that I would be good.’ As we prayed, one member of staff was moved to tears at the visible peace that come over the lady. God was truly there!
“We want to visit the homes weekly, rather than fortnightly, and we have had requests to visit other venues but we need more committed volunteers. At the moment we have five helpers but we need another five so there is also holiday cover. No training is needed although we require a letter of recommendation from the church pastor of would-be volunteers,” says Sharon.
Prospective volunteers can email Sharon Plummer: roseofsharon2911@yahoo.co.uk or telephone: 01953 454606