Swindon care firm's gift drive for elderly

Care company Home Instead Swindon has launched its annual Christmas gift giving campaign.

Following on from the success of last year’s campaign, the Santa-gram scheme asks people to donate gifts which ‘elves’ will distribute to older people throughout the community.

The gift-giving campaign aims to bring festive cheer and joy to older people in Swindon and the surrounding areas, who are among those most affected by what has been a challenging year for all thanks to the pandemic and lockdowns.

Home Instead is inviting local schools, nurseries, community groups, businesses and individuals to get involved by making or donating gifts that can ideally fit into an A4 envelope.

Donations can include pictures and drawings, puzzles, crosswords, cards, crafts, letters, and bookmarks - small presents that will bring a smile to the face of an older person this Christmas. 

Rachel Jannaway, community engagement officer at Home Instead Swindon, said: “We are so excited to be launching our Santa-gram campaign for the second year. 

"We collected more than 4,000 donations last year which really did make a difference to older people at Christmas, after such a difficult year.

“Gifts donated ranged from Christmas Cards to Sudoku books and everything in between! We donated 400 Santa-gram envelopes to individual people across the area, and larger donations to local groups, Brighter Futures at the Great Western Hospital and MHA community members.

“We can’t wait for the community to get involved again this year, and bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of elderly people across our community!”

Home Instead is a company providing in-home care to older people throughout Swindon and the neighbouring areas. Their services range from home help and companionship to more specialist dementia care. 

People can donate gifts to Home Instead at Shrivenham Hundred Business Park, until 20 November. Alternatively, the Home Instead ‘elves’ can arrange a collection.

Further information is available from Rachel Jannaway on 01793 232585 or at [email protected]