To help combat loneliness among the local elderly community this winter, Home Instead Senior Care Isle of Wight has launched a gift-giving campaign in support of Age UK Isle of Wight’s ongoing ‘No One Should Have No One’ project.
Before the outbreak of coronavirus, the Island was already facing a loneliness epidemic amongst older people. But this crisis has intensified due to the pandemic.
As Christmas is fast approaching, Home Instead’s ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ gift-giving scheme has been launched to bring a smile to lonely older people living on the Island who are unable to see friends or family this Christmas.
Between now and 9th December, Islanders can drop off gift donations at collection points located at Asda, Morrison’s Newport, Wilkinson’s Pie Shop in Sandown, 66 Cards and Gifts in Union Street Ryde, DTG Home Improvements, The Range, Tesco Express Ventnor, Boots Pharmacy in Cowes, Waitrose and the Home Instead office in Cowes.
Suggested donations are chocolates, biscuits, sweets, puzzles, toiletries, and winter warmers, such as gloves, scarfs and blankets. Gifts can also be purchased online directly from the campaign’s Amazon Wish List, which can be found at bit.ly/IWbeasanta2020.
Home Instead will wrap donations in festive wrapping paper and distribute them to individuals. Age UK Isle of Wight, Southern Advocacy Service and Social Workers have identified older people who might be feeling lonely or isolated this Christmas.
Abigail Wheeler, Home Instead Isle of Wight’s Registered Care Manager, commented:
“Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, many older people were already experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Now, due to Coronavirus and further restrictions, this Christmas is looking even harder for those people and many more”.
Article continues below this advertisement “So far, our ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ campaign has received referrals of 120 people who will be alone this Christmas. I am proud that Home Instead are able to distribute donated gifts to those older people and truly make a difference to their Christmas.
“We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to members of the Isle of Wight Hockey Club who are walking the distance from Lands’ End to John O’Groats during lockdown to raise funds for their club and our ‘Be A Santa To A Senior’ campaign”.
Dee Oswald, co-owner and director of Home Instead Isle of Wight, said:
“Our clients are fortunate as they form lasting relationships with their caregivers who provide companionship-led care and support, and many elderly people are fortunate, that have family and friends that live close by. Others aren’t so fortunate and probably won’t receive anything at this very special time of year, which is why this campaign cements our ethos of ‘To us, it’s Personal’.
“Since launching the campaign, we have already received an outstanding amount of support and generous gift donations. We could not do this without the help of our local community – thank you for all your help!”
For more information about the Be a Santa to a Senior campaign or to find out more about the services Home Instead offer, call 01983 240015 or visit https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/isle-of-wight/.
