Community Christmas gifts for Hertfordshire's older residents affected by COVID-19

Community groups across Hertfordshire have come together to bring Christmas cheer to thousands of older and vulnerable people who may be facing a lonely, difficult Christmas.

This comes after a year of unprecedented health and wellbeing challenges caused by COVID-19, and government restrictions on travel and household mixing over the festive period.

A number of prominent local charities, businesses, schools, and Hertfordshire County Council have teamed up to support older and vulnerable people living in the community for what may be one of the most difficult Christmases they have ever faced.

Over 2,000 gift packs are being distributed to potentially isolated and lonely residents in Hertfordshire by the county’s meals on wheels provider, Hertfordshire independent Living Service (HILS).

These contain a variety of goods intended to raise their spirits, including:

- Handmade Christmas cards created by local schoolchildren from 19 Hertfordshire Schools

- Puzzle books and Christmas crackers funded by the St Albans Old Person’s Trust and the County Council

- Tote bags, a magazine with useful advice and tips for staying safe and well in winter, and a 2021 calendar were provided by HILS. The calendar also featured artworks by self-taught artist and HILS client, Dot.

- Over 800 gifts and treats provided by the North Herts Santa for a Senior initiative, Dunelm, and AgeUK Hertfordshire.

HILS Chief Executive, Sarah Wren, said: "It is so heart-warming to see everyone come together to try and make this Christmas special for isolated older people in our community.

"This has been a sad year in so many ways: people may have lost family members or been unable to see them for a long time.

"But in difficult times, we find nuggets of joy and fantastic examples of what we can achieve when we all work together.

"It is a privilege to be working alongside colleagues and members of the public who are determined to make this Christmas a positive one to remember."

Burton’s Biscuits, based on St Albans, also provided HILS with over 2,000 packs of biscuits which are being distributed to people spending Christmas in care homes across Hertfordshire.

Biscuits and 1,000 mince pies, gifted by apetito, will also be given out to older and vulnerable Hertfordshire residents who will be receiving meals on wheels on Christmas Day.

Jo Hooper from Home Instead, who led the Santa for a Senior initiative, said: "We have been honoured to be a part of this fantastic project and have been humbled by the support we have received from the community.

"This has enabled us to provide over 700 donations to gift to elderly in and around Hertfordshire at this exceptionally difficult time.

"More than ever this year, the elderly has felt loneliness, vulnerability and isolation like never before.

"This simple act of kindness has brought a wealth of benefits to our elderly neighbours this Christmas."

Over 1,200 people in Hertfordshire are expected to be depending on meals on wheels for their Christmas Day meal, and many will be spending the day alone.

Over 89% of HILS clients say they feel less lonely simply because of receiving regular visits from their meals on wheels team.

HILS was established as the County’s meals on wheels provider in 2007 under the name Hertfordshire Community Meals.

In 2015, HCM became Hertfordshire Independent Living Service and expanded its service offer to include a variety of independent-promoting community support services to help older and vulnerable people remain happy, healthy, and independent at home for as long as possible.

HILS has four sites in Hertfordshire, Hemel Hempstead - serving 580 clients at any one time - Letchworth, Ware and St Albans.