Seniors were reunited and encouraged to work on their social skills at a Rainbow Tea Party held yesterday in Devonshire.

The two-hour event brought together 60 seniors from Lorraine Rest Home, Bermuda Hospital Board's Continuing Care Unit, Silvia Richardson Care Facility and Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Home for tea and refreshments — and gave them a chance to enjoy new and old companionship.

Activities Coordinator Sharon Curtis believes such events boost the morale of seniors and said: "Being on the outside gives them a sense of belonging. When they are on the outside and are all dressed up, they feel needed and are just happy because they see people they haven't seen sometimes in years. So they look forward to the outings."

Violet Smith, 79, and Phillis O'Conner, 73, had an opportunity yesterday to spend time with their older sister Dolores Hollis, who they say is generally more cheerful during these events.

Mrs. Smith believes such events are good for people in rest homes. "You need to be out, you don't wanted to be barged in all the time," she said.

The Rainbow Tea Party was just one of many events put on throughout the year including picnics and trips to the beach and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Mrs. Curtis said: "We do a lot of socialising and put on quite a few events and try to get the seniors to interact with others from different homes because some of them grew up together and they enjoy it."

Overall the event went well and Mrs. Curtis said: "It was very successful and a couple of the caregivers said they really enjoyed themselves and so did their seniors."