Be A Santa 2024 Launch!

We are thrilled to share that this holiday season, Home Instead Newcastle upon Tyne is once again organising the Be a Santa Campaign to bring warmth and cheer to vulnerable elderly individuals in our community. This year as the previous, we will be visiting West Jesmond Primary and Gosforth Central Middle School to speak with pupils about the importance of community care and compassion during the holiday season.

Our aim is to connect young people with those who may feel isolated or alone this festive season, helping them experience the joy of giving. Through this initiative, each pupil will have the opportunity to “Be a Santa” by gifting a thoughtful Christmas present to an elderly person who might otherwise go without. Last year we collected and distributed 1000 gifts within out local community, we cannot wait to spread the joy again this year!

The charities we’re partnering with for this campaign include:

• SEARCH – Supporting the wellbeing of older people.
• KeyRing – Providing assistance to individuals who may need extra support.
• British Red Cross – Bringing essential services and companionship to those in need.
• Local Community Centres – Connecting with our community’s most vulnerable residents.

At each school, we will be hosting a brief presentation for the pupils, discussing the importance of kindness and community. Following this, they will have the chance to buy and wrap gifts, which we will then collect and distribute to our partner charities.

This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to learn about empathy, generosity, and the value of supporting all members of our community, especially those who may feel isolated during the holidays. We hope to foster a spirit of giving in our community that goes beyond the season, instilling values of kindness and social responsibility.

We can’t wait to get started visiting schools and spreading joy this Christmas! The picture here shows last year’s campaign and as you can see, it was a great success! Thank you in advance for your support in spreading joy and goodwill this holiday season.