Celebrating 15 Years of Giving Be a Santa to a Senior
From a Christmas Gift to 10,000 Community Calendars – Celebrating 15 Years of Giving
How a simple Christmas gift grew into a much-loved tradition, connecting thousands of people across Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe.
At Home Instead Altrincham, Sale & Wythenshawe, supporting our local community has always been about much more than providing care at home. Since opening our doors in 2010, we’ve believed that helping people stay connected, feel valued and enjoy life is just as important.
And sometimes, the simplest ideas grow into something rather special.
It all started with Be a Santa to a Senior
Back in 2012, we launched our local Be a Santa to a Senior campaign, encouraging people and businesses to donate Christmas gifts for older people who might otherwise receive very little at Christmas.
Our first donation day took place at St Paul’s Church in Sale, where the generosity of local people helped us begin what would become a wonderful annual tradition.
Over the following years, the campaign grew, with donations collected through local churches, pharmacies, GP surgeries, businesses and community groups.
Our team and volunteers helped collect, wrap and distribute the presents, making sure they reached older people who would appreciate a little extra kindness at Christmas.
By 2018, we were distributing more than 900 Christmas gifts, including presents delivered to local hospitals.
But it was never simply about the presents.
It was about letting people know they hadn’t been forgotten, bringing a smile to someone’s face and reminding them that they were part of a community that cared.
When Christmas giving took a different direction
Then came COVID.
With restrictions affecting so many of the activities and personal connections we’d previously enjoyed, we began thinking about how we could continue sharing a little happiness with older people in our community.
We wanted something that people could enjoy throughout the year, rather than just at Christmas.
And that’s where the idea for our Community Calendar began.
In 2021, we produced our first calendar, featuring photographs of familiar places across Altrincham, Sale and Wythenshawe.
Around 2,500 copies were distributed free of charge, and the response was wonderful.
What began as a way to bring a little joy into people’s homes quickly became something people looked forward to receiving each year.
From 2,500 calendars to 10,000!
Fast forward to our 2027 Community Calendar, and we’re delighted that this little idea has grown into a much-loved local tradition.
We now distribute 10,000 free calendars, featuring beautiful photographs generously shared by local photographers.
Every month celebrates somewhere familiar, somewhere special or perhaps somewhere you’ve never discovered before.
From our parks and green spaces to local landmarks and community celebrations, the photographs capture what makes our corner of Greater Manchester such a lovely place to live.
And the feedback we receive each year reminds us just how much these calendars mean to people.
We’ve had individuals asking for extra copies for friends and neighbours, and doctors’ surgeries creating collages from the photographs to brighten their reception areas.
Only recently, a lady sat down with me and said, “Oh, you’re the company who produces the calendar!”
She’d recognised a photograph taken by someone she knew through a local ramblers walking group.
It’s those lovely, unexpected connections that make the calendar so special.
Because behind every photograph is a local person, a familiar place and often a story waiting to be shared.
New for 2027 – helping you discover what's on your doorstep
This year, we’ve added something extra.
Alongside the beautiful photographs, every month features a Good to Know section, highlighting a local community group, activity or opportunity to get involved.
From bingo and Parkinson’s support groups to Adventures in Art and indoor bowls, there are so many wonderful things happening right on our doorstep.
We’ve also included a QR code linking to our free online What’s on Where (WOW) Guide, where you can discover hundreds of local activities, groups and events.
It’s all part of our commitment to helping people stay active, connected and involved in their communities.
Whether you’re looking for something new to try, hoping to meet people or helping a loved one find an activity they’ll enjoy, we hope the calendar encourages you to discover something new.
A gift from our team to our community
As we look back on how this tradition has evolved, from Christmas presents for older people to thousands of calendars shared across our community, one thing has remained the same.
It’s always been about people.
The generosity of our local photographers, the businesses and organisations that help distribute the calendars, and the wonderful people who tell us how much they enjoy receiving them.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this possible.
And, of course, to our Home Instead team, whose dedication to supporting older people and their families extends far beyond the care we provide in people’s homes.
Pick up your free 2027 Community Calendar!
Our 2027 Community Calendar is free, and we’d love you to have a copy.
Call us on 0161 870 1136 0r you can pop into our office:
Home Instead Altrincham, Sale & Wythenshawe
Huxley Street, Broadheath
Altrincham, WA14 5EL
(Just off Sinderland Road)
And don’t forget, you can also pick up our free What’s on Where (WOW) Guide, where you’ll find hundreds of local activities, groups and events to help you live well, your way.
Here’s to another year of beautiful photographs, familiar places, new discoveries and keeping our community connected.
With warm wishes from all of us at Home Instead Altrincham, Sale & Wythenshawe.
