Home health care service, Home Instead Salford, launched its annual Santa to a Senior appeal in Swinton’s Asda superstore last week.

The scheme lasted over five days, kindly asking members of the public to donate a small gift to an isolated senior in Salford.

Be a Santa to a Senior sheet. Copyright: Jessica Stone

Home Instead was founded in the USA in 1994 and now has 211 offices in the UK.

Susan Robinson and Jo Shaughnessy discovered Home Instead while seeking care for Ms. Robinson’s mother and opened the Salford office in February 2016.

With a team of compassionate caregivers, Ms. Robinson and Ms. Shaughnessy provide practical assistance and personal care to seniors in Salford.

They aim to keep their clients safe and secure in their homes for as long as possible.

Salford’s office was rated ‘outstanding’ in September 2017 by the Care Quality Commission.

Home Instead Salford banner. Copyright: Jessica Stone

Home Instead Salford contacted community champion at Swinton’s Asda, Jennie Rigby, about their Santa to a Senior appeal and was given the go-ahead to host the fundraiser there.

Ms. Robinson said: “We forged a friendship with Asda this year, last year it was Marks and Spencer’s and B&M Bargains.

“They let us stand here and speak to the shoppers coming in. We try to speak to as many people as we can.”

Ms. Robinson explained that all of the gifts donated are distributed evenly to different organisations in the UK.

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Ms. Robinson said: “Santa to a Senior is to get to those really, really isolated people that is the first thing.

“It is also to raise awareness of Home Instead and what we do and also to let caregivers know that we are here.”

Ms. Shaughnessy said: “We have a wrap and chat party over the weekend.

“We put a post out on social media and people who are not even associated with Home Instead come and help us wrap the gifts we have collected.

“We have a little chat, and a couple of mince pies it is really good.”

Left, Co-founder of Home Instead Salford, Susan Robinson. Right, Asda Community Champion, Jennie Rigby, behind Santa to a Senior stall. Copyright: Jessica Stone

Home Instead Salford is aiming to collect between four and five hundred gifts for Santa to a Senior this year.

Ms. Robinson said: “I can never, ever get over the people that donate because the people who donate are often those who cannot afford it, and people are just so kind and generous.”

There is still time to donate a gift. If you wish to help towards the Santa to a Senior appeal, please visit the Salford office open Monday to Fridays to help an isolated senior.

Visit Home Instead Salford’s Facebook page to look out for the latest wrap and chat party.

Or visit their website to discover more about the work they do and how to get involved.

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