These young people are part of NCS Changemakers, which is a programme where they come together monthly to create an impact on their local community.
In their October meeting, the group of Hackney and Waltham Forest young people came up with ideas of different social actions projects they could focus on, ideas included spreading awareness about knife crime, hosting women self-defence classes, doing sponsored walks or creating Christmas gifts for nursing homes. After considering the resources, practicality and seasonality, the young people decided to create Christmas care packages for elderly people in nursing homes.
They have chosen to focus on tackling this issue as elderly people are often ignored, forgotten, and left alone. This could be because their children now have their own families, they may have lost a loved one, or they may suffer from mental or physical illness, such as dementia, which needs specialist care. Therefore, during seasons and celebrations like Christmas, the feeling of loneliness may be heightened, as most families celebrate Christmas together. The Age UK (1) reported that
Christmas is the loneliest time of the year for more than 1.5 million older people
(2). This number may exceed this year due to restrictions of COVID-19, where there are extra precautionary measures and regulations, so family members may not be able to visit them. Therefore, the group of young people thought that it would be a heartwarming gesture to make the elderly in nursing homes feel not forgotten and less alone. This was also a suitable social action project, as their last meeting will be in December, near the festive season.
In their most recent meeting, they began working on and putting their plan into action, and most people in the group brought in resources, fundraised money or donations for the project. At the start, the group wrote down a list of things they could put in the gift packages that the elderly may like whilst also considering their budget. The group then split into two groups, with one group staying at the centre to write Christmas cards and other messages to the elderly, whilst the other went around their local area to purchase the things needed. They purchased many festive treats and snacks, including chocolates, biscuits, cakes, tea and coffee sachets.
In December, they will be wrapping up around 30 individual presents to donate to a local elderly nursing home, to hopefully bring a sprinkle of merry to their Christmas.
Sources:
- https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2019/december/christmas-is-the-loneliest-time/
- https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/christmas-lonely-elderly-people-widows-age-uk-a9230976.html?amp
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