CARE homes across Oxfordshire will be hosting a range of different events today to support Dignity Action Day.

The Orders of St John Care Trust’s (OSJCT) care homes are providing social events and activities to bring the community together, with special Digni-Teas to support the campaign. The annual event is part of a national campaign to provide a memorable day for people who use care services.

Isis House, Cornwallis Road, Oxford is hosting a Digni-Tea with baked goods for residents, staff and guests today.

Also later today, in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, a Dignity Day event with street theatre will take place between 11am and 2pm. The event will continue in the council chamber at the Town Hall from 2-4pm, where there will be talks from local organisations and from Rodney Bickerstaffe, who is president of the UK National Pensioners’ Association.

The Oxfordshire assistant pperations director of OSJCT, Patsy Just, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Dignity Action Day and celebrating with each home, as treating our residents with dignity and respect is a key part of the Trust’s daily mission.

“We strive to ensure that everyone at OSJCT, from home managers and carers to volunteers, gets to know residents on a personal level, treating them as individuals and offering them choice, control and a sense of purpose throughout their daily lives.”

She added: “It’s great that days like Dignity Action Day have been created to raise awareness of the importance of upholding people’s rights to dignity and autonomy, most especially the more frail and vulnerable members of our society.”

Meanwhile, Stirlings Care Home in Wantage invited the local community to take part in their open day between 10am and 4pm yesterday.

The residential home, managed by Paula Sayer, in Stirlings Close, was offering refreshments and activities with residents.

Madley Park House in Witney also held its Dignity Tea Afternoon yesterday, which featured live piano music.

There are two Dignity Action Day-related events taking place next week, with Spencer Court in Woodstock, hosting a Digni-Tea with cheese and wine on Tuesday, and Old Station House in Abingdon holding a coffee morning on Friday.