Christmas in the midst of an all consuming global pandemic was never going to be ‘normal,’ and perhaps for more than anyone at this time of year the elderly are feeling the effects. Having been isolated from family members for the best part of 2020, and huge numbers of the expected Christmas plans; fairs and light shows etc, now being cancelled, Age UK Wandsworth have made it their mission ‘to ensure every isolated older person has a reason to smile this Christmas.’
With the help of Ainsley Harriott - MBE, English chef and TV presenter, leading the press operation, the aim is for 1000 older people to receive a parcel. In order to make and deliver such vast numbers of Christmas parcels, help was enlisted! People in the borough of Wandsworth rallied together. Able to show their support through: donating £20 - the cost of a singular box, getting crafty - making masks or hand writing Christmas cards and collecting items from the supermarket.
Deliveries began on the 14th December, with the parcels being quarantined and then collected by the Wandsworth Fire Brigade to be delivered to those who need them. The initiative is set to bring joy to plenty of peoples faces and lives over the coming weeks and festive period.
I interviewed Lydia Loxton, primary school teacher and charities coordinator at The Roche School, also based in Wandsworth. With a comment from Mrs Louise, the Support Coordinator and lead on Operation Christmas Cheer:
Lydia, can you explain your personal involvement?
My role as charities coordinator I really fell into. I do a lot of charity work in my personal time, for example I have connections with an orphanage in Kenya. Working in a private school, a lot of these children are extremely privileged and charity work is so important for education and awareness, to learn about life itself.
Is the project something that happens annually or a new introduction?
This part of the project - Operation Christmas Cheer is unique and new to 2020 due the pandemic. This being said as a school we have been involved with Age UK in the past.
The academic year 2019-20 we began our connections with Age UK and the project this Christmas seemed like a good fit to continue supporting.
How have you asked the children and parents at The Roche School to get involved?
We have asked parents to bring in a wrapped or bagged gift for an elderly person in our community. In school, children have been writing Christmas cards, either addressed as ‘dear friend’ or imagining they are their own grandparents!
This year, more than ever the generational divide has been huge, making it extremely hard to support those who are older, largely due to the risk of infection. Why is the connection between the older and younger generation especially important at the moment?
The school is actually involved annually with Pines Care Home, as the younger years normally visit and sing the Christmas nativity to them in early December. Learning to appreciate those who are older than you and that you can smile at someone and it will make them happy is so important when you are so young. I feel really strongly that young people and old people should mix because they can learn from each other!
How has the involvement of Ainsley Harriott raised the project’s media profile?
Particularly this year, old peoples charities have become so relevant and have been really pushing forward. The escalation that has occurred with vast numbers of the population shielding has made people take notice! Parents have been so generous with gifts this year and are clearly making a discussion occur at home, further helping the young children's understanding of how to help someone who may be lonely or have no family.
Have you any idea on the success of the project so far?
The vast numbers of donations we’ve received just as a school has been overwhelming and I think it must be specifically due to the media attention that both the Operation and loneliness itself as an issue are receiving. A lot of people are willing to give the time around Christmas and this year specifically they are asking what they can do to help. One thousand gifts is a big target, but without doubt there will be enough compassionate people who want to do their bit to support them.
Louise, what are your reasons as to why you wanted to support this specific event?
After my grandmother died I noticed a huge change in my grandad. My grandad has a big family and yet loneliest hits him hard. We all feel lonely at times but luckily that feeling is short lived. I wanted to help Age UK Wandsworth to support people just like my grandad, who, as they have gotten older they feel more vulnerable, less needed and more lonely. It is so important for those in our elderly community to remember that they’re not alone. They are loved, they are important and they can reach out to one of Age UK Wandsworth’s volunteers for help & friendship.
