How Our Be a Santa Scheme Spreads Christmas Cheer
Christmas is often described as a time for family, warmth and celebration. For many older people, though, it can feel very different. If someone is living alone, has lost loved ones or finds it harder to get out, December can be one of the loneliest times of the year.
At Home Instead East Hertfordshire, our team sees this first hand through the stories our Care Professionals bring back from their visits. A simple chat, a cuppa or a small surprise can completely change the feel of someone’s day.
This year, we are especially grateful to Jessie J for helping us spread the word about our Be a Santa scheme. Her kindness in taking the time to support the campaign means a great deal to our Home Instead East Hertfordshire team, who work so hard to bring comfort and companionship to older people in our community.
That is why our annual Be a Santa gift giving scheme means so much. It is a chance for local people and businesses to come together and show older neighbours that they are remembered and valued at Christmas.
What the Be a Santa Scheme is All About
Be a Santa to Senior is our way of helping older people who might not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas time.
Each year, we reach out to individuals, organisations and charities across East Hertfordshire who are supporting older people. Together, we draw up lists of people who may be spending Christmas alone, or who would really appreciate a small act of kindness.
The aim is simple and heartfelt. We want to:
- Spread a little Christmas cheer to older people in our community
- Help to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Show appreciation for those who support older people throughout the year
It is not about grand or expensive presents. It is about thoughtful, personal gifts that say, very quietly, “you matter”.
How Local People and Businesses Get Involved
One of the special things about Be a Santa is how it brings the community together.
Local shops, offices and community venues kindly agree to host gift tags or collection points. People can pick up a tag with a first name and age, or a simple description, and choose a suitable present to buy. Others may prefer to donate items that our team can match to someone on the list.
Typical gifts might include:
- Warm scarves, gloves or cosy socks
- Toiletries and pamper sets
- Books, jigsaws or puzzle books
- Chocolates, biscuits or small treats
- Stationery, calendars or diaries for the year ahead
Our Home Instead East Hertfordshire team then gathers and sorts the gifts, making sure that every person on our list receives something chosen just for them.
The Difference a Small Gift Can Make
If you are used to a busy house at Christmas, it can be hard to imagine what it feels like when no one is expected to visit and there are no presents under the tree.
For some older people, the Be a Santa gift is the only wrapped present they will receive.
Care Professionals often tell us about the reactions they see when gifts are delivered. There may be surprise, a few happy tears, and a real sense of relief that someone has remembered them. The gift is important, but the feeling behind it is often even more powerful.
A wrapped present that has been chosen and given with care can:
- Lift someone’s spirits during a difficult time
- Spark conversation and connection on the day it is delivered
- Be a reminder, in the weeks that follow, that others are thinking of them
These are small moments, but they can stay with someone long after the decorations have been put away.
Working Together with Local Charities and Groups
Be a Santa does not sit in isolation. It works best when we join up with the many brilliant individuals, charities and community groups who already support older people across East Hertfordshire.
We listen to their insight about who might be most in need of a little extra cheer. In turn, we hope our scheme adds to the support they are already providing, rather than trying to replace it.
By working together in this way, we can:
- Reach people who are not always visible in the community
- Avoid leaving anyone out where possible
- Share information about support that may be useful beyond Christmas
For our team at Home Instead East Hertfordshire, it is a reminder that we are part of a wider network of people who care deeply about older residents and their wellbeing.
How You Can Help This Christmas
Many people tell us they like the idea of doing something practical and kind at Christmas, but they are not sure where to start. Be a Santa offers a simple way to get involved.
You might choose to:
- Buy a gift after picking up a tag at a participating local business
- Donate suitable items for us to match to someone on the list
- Spread the word among friends, colleagues, local clubs or schools
- Let us know, sensitively, about someone who may be alone this Christmas
If you can help out, or if you know a person who will be alone for Christmas, you can let our Santa helpers know on 01279 295220.
Keeping loneliness in mind beyond the festive season
Christmas can bring loneliness into sharp focus, but for many older people those feelings continue into January and beyond. Dark evenings, bad weather and health worries can all make it harder to stay in touch with others.
Support at home can play a gentle role in easing that ongoing isolation. Regular visits from a familiar Care Professional mean there is time for conversation, shared hobbies and simple outings, as well as practical help around the house.
At Home Instead East Hertfordshire, we see companionship as just as important as practical support. When someone has a trusted person popping in regularly, life can feel more connected and less overwhelming.
A final word from our team
Our Be a Santa scheme is just one way we try to spread kindness in our local community. It is all about small gestures that remind older people they are seen, valued and part of the Christmas picture.
If you live or work in the area and you would like to get involved, or if you are thinking about support at home for yourself or a loved one, we are always happy to talk things through when you feel ready. You can contact our Santa helpers on 01279 295220 to find out more about this year’s scheme or to share details of someone who may be alone at Christmas.
