Hundreds of Home in Place tenants have come together to celebrate the festive season at Christmas events during December.

There were Christmas family picnics in Newcastle, Taree, Dubbo, Cessnock, Broken Hill and in the Upper Hunter and on the Central Coast. Adult tenants also enjoyed lunches in Scone and Singleton and barefoot bowls in Lake Macquarie, Kurri Kurri, Broken Hill, and in Brisbane.

Home in Place CEO Australia, Lyndall Robertshaw, said there were plenty of smiles, games, showbags painted faces, and a visit from Santa, at the events.

She said annual Christmas events are one of the ways Home in Place engages with its tenants and provides an opportunity for tenants to socialise with each other. This year residents from Special Disability Accommodation homes that Home in Place manage were also invited to attend Christmas events and some tenants and homes in Victoria and NSW had their own Christmas craft morning teas.

“One of tenants at the Newcastle Christmas party was close to tears when she won the lucky door prize of a bike and helmet,” Ms Robertshaw said.

“She will give it to her daughter who was hoping for a bike or scooter for Christmas. A very worthy recipient because her daughter has been sourcing gifts to give to other people who have nothing,” she said.

“These events really bring out the best of the spirit of Christmas.”

Mr Robertshaw said many Home in Place tenants do it tough at the best of times and are bearing the brunt of cost of living pressures.

“We like to have a day where people can forget about what’s going on for them and enjoy themselves.”

“Engaging tenants to give them skills and support to participate fully in their community is an important part of what are about.”

“Everyone deserves a bit of Christmas fun and magic.”

Home in Place is a not for profit community housing provider managing more than 7000 social, affordable and disability housing properties in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.