Member Article

David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East combats loneliness in the community with Christmas initiative in York

Local housebuilder, David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East, is continuing to support the communities in which it builds by launching a Christmas initiative to help combat loneliness among York’s elderly over the festive period.

The housebuilder teamed up with pupils from Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School to create Christmas letters of well-wishes for the residents at The Chocolate Works Care Village, close to David Wilson Homes’ The Chocolate Works development in York. The partnership aims to put a smile on the faces of those who have spent the majority of the year away from their loved ones.

The children at Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School were thrilled to take part in writing letters to help provide some comfort to the residents of The Chocolate Works Care Village this December. David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East is also encouraging the wider community to play their part in combating loneliness affecting the elderly by offering digital support such as help with shopping and ordering prescriptions and taking part in video calls.

On receiving the letters, Sarah Paskett, General Manager at The Chocolate Works Care Village, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has kept so many families apart this year, and has had a huge effect on wellbeing. Loneliness is something that has affected so many of our residents, especially at this time of year when they haven’t been able to see their friends and families as often as they usually would.

“Margaret, Mary and Lesley, and the rest of the residents all loved reading the letters from the children of Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School and we’re really grateful to David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East for arranging this, it was definitely a much-needed morale boost this year!”

Gill Johnson, Business Manager at Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School, commented: “It was wonderful for David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East to ask our pupils to take part in this Christmas campaign to support the residents and combat loneliness during this uncertain time. The children really enjoyed writing the letters and it’s great to know that they will help the residents feel a little bit less lonely during the Christmas season.”

Leonie Gilbertson, Sales Manager at nearby David Wilson Homes’ The Chocolate Works development in York, commented: “It was a pleasure to be able to connect with a local primary school and get the children thinking creatively and writing personal letters to residents at a nearby care home. We understand how difficult it has been for older people, the struggles that they face and how loneliness can affect them, and we wanted to offer our support. On top of this, we know it is so important that we continue to help our communities around us over the Christmas period and beyond.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .