Students play Santa for seniors

Members of the Bunbury Geographe Seniors and Community Centre opened something extra special last week at their annual end of year Christmas party.

More than 370 handmade Christmas cards were decorated and delivered to seniors across the South West through a collaboration between Home Instead South West WA and students at Bunbury Primary School.

Home Instead senior care and care manager at the South West WA office, Miranda Harrison, said the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program provided an opportunity for children to show an act of kindness to the elderly community over Christmas.

“We’ve found that social isolation among seniors increases over the Christmas period, as many are unable to spend it with family and COVID-19 will exacerbate the issue,” Ms Harrison said.

“The messages range from gloriously poetic, to funny and many very impressive drawings.

“I know smiles will be brought to the faces of seniors when they receive their cards.”

Bunbury residents Linda Bull and Daphne Smith said they were touched by the cards.

“The last time I got a hand-made Christmas card was when my granddaughter was in school and she is now 23,” Ms Smith said.

“This is going to go in my special box with all of the cards from my grandchildren that I treasure,” Ms Bull added.