The gift of giving for nursing home residents

AN INSPIRATIONAL idea from a busy local businesswoman has ignited the spirit of Christmas in Cavan nursing homes for the second year in a row.

Bronwyn Callaghan is owner of the award-winning 11:11 Beauty and Skin Rooms in Virginia. And, despite Christmas being her busiest time of the year, the manager has still made time to run the big-hearted Adopt A Resident gift campaign.

Adopt A Resident is when nursing home residents are matched with 11:11 customers who then purchase and drop off a Christmas gift for their elderly ‘friend’.

The idea came to Bronwyn last year and was inspired by her volunteer work with the charity, ALONE, during lockdowns.

The programme is designed to ensure that residents in local nursing homes, especially those who may not have family nearby, receive a gift and know they are being thought of during the festive season.

And it has been such a hit with residents.

When the scheme ran for the first time last year, Bronwyn delivered to 54 residents in the Sheelin Nursing Home but just one year later, Adopt A Resident brings presents to 96 residents in nursing homes in Virginia, Cavan Town and Kells.

Mairead Mellet owner of the Sheelin Nursing Home said not only were residents delighted to receive their unexpected gifts but inspired to pay forward the goodwill by giving their own gifts to friends.

“The effect has been magical,” Mairead told the Celt. “It has truly put us all in the Christmas spirit. The generosity of Bronwyn’s clients is a true testament of this young woman’s heart. The impact she has made on our residents has been remarkable.”

Mairead explained that Christmas can be a “very sad” time of the year for some older people and described how one lady resident “burst into happy tears” when she saw Bronwyn walk through the doors of the Sheelin on Monday.

“Some don’t have anyone, a few have been forgotten about, and so to our residents the thought that strangers thought about them, that Bronwyn got dressed up and took a day out of her busy schedule – that combined effort for me, well, some of our residents just can’t believe it,” Mairead said.

“What Bronwyn has done is given our residents back Christmas,” Mairead continued. “For them Christmas used to be about giving, visiting people in their homes, and bringing presents and re-gifting because times were hard.

“Now, Bronwyn and her customers have given them something of their own to re-gift. They can’t give something family brought them because family would notice it is not being used, but if a resident got a pair of warm socks but he /she doesn’t go outside they will take pride in re-wrapping and gifting those to a friend who does go out to walk.

“We see them swapping gifts or thinking I have a puzzle book that I know someone will enjoy and it gives them such Christmas spirit to be giving again.

“And I think for Bronwyn’s clients to do this for our residents through her is actually a real testament to Bronwyn and what is truly thought of her.”

Mairead said Sheelin residents now have a “stockpile” of gifts that they take immense pride and pleasure in putting into care packs for the residents of the Lisdarn Centre in Cavan General Hospital.

Bronwyn explains she was wanted to give something back and has been blown away by the response of her clients to Adopt A Resident.

“Within seconds of me posting this year’s campaign on social media people were asking me ‘how do I get involved?’. The reaction has been unbelievable,” she told the Celt.

Bronwyn played down her efforts saying: “It’s so easy on my behalf although I think I must be addicted to stress!” instead pointing to the hardworking staff of local nursing homes.

“The one thing I notice on my visits is the amazing work being done by staff,” she said before paying tribute to her customers.

“I have to thank all my clients who contribute and make this possible because without them it wouldn’t happen,” Bronwyn said with characteristic selflessness.