The Isle of Man Live At Home Schemes charity is staging its very own bake-off style competition to celebrate the United Nations’ International Day of Friendship. There are prizes for children, parents and grandparents – and you can bake any type of cake you like, as long as it’s purple to represent friendship.

We all need friendship, but it’s even more important for older adults who can be at greater risk of becoming isolated with fewer opportunities to socialise. Isle of Man Live At Home Schemes – which is the Island’s leading befriending service and a locally registered charity – is organising the baking competition as part of an event to mark the International Day of Friendship on July 30 at the Tynwald Mills marquee from 2pm to 4pm. In addition to music plus afternoon tea and drinks, the afternoon will also showcase the charity’s work in communities across the Island.

It will be a chance for the charity to celebrate with their members and volunteers the work of its 6 Live At Home Schemes here – Western, Northern, Onchan, Douglas, Laxey, Lonan, and Northern Men In Sheds. These schemes – which are all part of the UK-based MHA charity – provide support for around 600 older adults by offering a range of services, including organising social groups, lunch clubs, film club, one to one befriending, help with transport, and advice on accessing other support services.

Tracey Leahy, Managing Director of MannVend Ltd, is patron of Isle of Man Live At Home Schemes. She said:

“While the events at Tynwald Mills on July 30th will have an emphasis on fun, there’s also a very serious message. It is well documented that our ageing population is increasing, and currently 22% of Isle of Man residents are over retirement age. Live at Home Schemes offer friendship and relieve loneliness whilst also forging strong bonds between members and volunteers, so the International Day of Friendship provides the ideal opportunity to promote these values across the community.”

If you wish to enter the baking competition, please take your cakes to the marquee before 10am on July 30 as competition judging will begin at 10.30am. Winners will receive Tynwald Mills vouchers as prizes and the judging panel will be Trudi Williamson from Isle of Man Newspapers, Pippa Pettit from Noa Bakehouse, and Norma Owen, one of Isle of Man Live At Home Schemes’ longest serving volunteers and a keen amateur baker.

All of the cakes in the competition will either be sold or made available for guests to eat with their afternoon tea. Guests will be entertained by saxophonist Steve Farrell and Musicale. Another attraction will be a Minions cut-out board which fans of the cartoon characters can use to create some fun photos. The board was made by the Northern Men In Sheds group which provides a social hub for men aged 55 and over.

To find out more about Isle of Man Live At Home Schemes, phone 616571, email Isleofman.liveathome@mha.org.uk or find the charity on Facebook. You can also visit the Live At Home Schemes’ website www.mha.org.uk.

Photo - With the minions cut-out board are Tracey Leahy (left), Managing Director of MannVend Ltd and patron of the Isle of Man Live At Homes Schemes, and Jo Dixon, Island Live at Home Manager for the Isle of Man Live at Home Schemes.