By Jasmine Jackson
OLD Mill House has launched its first Christmas shoe box appeal, with help from the Dovestone Women’s Institute, in a bid to tackle loneliness among its residents.
The Springhead care home is asking kind-hearted locals to decorate shoe boxes and fill them with gifts such as scarfs, stationary, and toiletries to cheer up their recipients this Christmas.
Anyone wishing to donate a shoe box can also put a small note or card inside to say who it is from so the residents can send thank you notes back.
Many of the residents have been deeply impacted by Covid-19 and have been left feeling isolated, frightened and confused. Some have gone months without seeing their families or even leaving the building.
Dianne Hayes, manager of the care home, explained: “We wanted to do something special to let them know they are not forgotten and people are thinking about them, at what will be for many of the residents a very lonely time.”
Although lots of activities were cancelled for the residents, the Knit and Natter group, and IT Club have still managed to continue over Skype each week.
Dianne added: “This has been a great success and it just shows you how resilient our older people really are.”
Some other Christmas traditions are carrying on at Old Mill House, such as the Christmas meal and raffle where everyone wins a prize.
The raffle aims to raise money for the Christmas meal, cooked by Joan Cartwright and her catering team, and brings festive cheer alongside the shoe box appeal and some donated gifts.
Dianne said: “We are just trying to stay positive and make Christmas as happy as it can be for everyone.
“The on-site care team have been amazing and have worked relentlessly throughout the whole pandemic.”
• Anyone wishing to drop off a shoe box can take it to Old Mill House, Old Mill Lane, Springhead, OL4 5TS by Friday, December 4.
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