On December 23, Youth for Peace organised a Christmas gift-giving event to ensure that the elderly community knows that they are remembered this season.

Youth for Peace is an international movement within Sant’Egidio, a charity organisation present in over 70 countries of the world, whose mission is to create a fairer world where no one is left alone. 

This Christmas, members of Youth for Peace London dropped off gifts to elderly friends at Sycamore Lodge care home in order to continue their work of breaking down the generational divide that exists between the elderly and the youth, and this year with an even more urgent purpose of combating the loneliness that 2020's tribulations have brought upon the elderly in particular. 

It was no mean feat. COVID-19 restrictions meant that careful liaison with the hardworking staff at the care home was necessary. We also had to hold back on our regular Christmas activities with the residents, including carol-singing, bingo games, painting and, of course, face-to-face interaction. 

Instead, we worked hard to overcome these barriers. Instead of our weekly visits to the care home, we have been video-calling the residents instead. In these sessions, we asked them which gifts they would most like to receive this Christmas. 

Using this information, members of Youth for Peace advertised around their schools and local communities for donations and individually packaged and wrapped each present in order to bring the joy of personalised gifts to the residents.

Sofia Overton, a member of Youth for Peace, says: “Our efforts to befriend the elderly have been massively stunted this year. Virtual meetings are nothing near physical ones. Despite this, I’m happy that we’ve been able to use Christmas to show the residents that we still care for them.”

Going into the new year, Youth for Peace hopes that they can continue their work in a more face-to-face manner but knows that adjustments will have to be made to ensure the safety of those they aim to help.

They urge others to do the same: protect the most vulnerable, but also make efforts to care for them regularly, whether that be staying in contact with relatives or doing the shopping for an elderly neighbour.

After all, we exist as a community.