By Llyn Masterman
It was a rainy and cold Saturday and I was hoping to put a smile on certain peoples’ faces. Staff at two care homes in my ward, Ossett and Gawthorpe, were about to receive a nice surprise which I hoped they’d enjoy.
In July of this year, I had delivered ‘Superhero’ cupcakes to the staff in York House which cares for 20 adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, including some with complex needs and Croft House Care Home who provide residential care for our elderly.
They work so hard caring for people throughout the pandemic and I felt that they deserved some recognition and praise for what they thought was just a job, caring for people is such a worthy vocation.
So, with Christmas coming up fast I wanted to show again that they were not forgotten and that their dedication throughout two lockdowns was appreciated. I had the idea to give them something that would be a treat for them and thought that giving ‘pampering packages’ would be welcomed by the staff.
I asked my GMB Union to sponsor the packages and they were only too glad to help, it was such a worthy cause.
I reached out to Jenna Fan and the Ossett Local Vocals to see if they would be willing to come along and sing a couple of carols and Santa. The choir were fabulous. After signing carols, Santa delivered the goodies. The staff couldn’t have been more appreciative, and the residents also thoroughly enjoyed the singing and some joined in.
Off then to Croft House Care Home to do it all again!
Santa did his stuff and delivered the packages to the carers who were beaming from ear to ear, some had tears in their eyes, they were so moved.
The choir then sang beautifully, with staff and residents enjoying the carols.
I think it’s very important to recognise the fabulous work that our carers do and give them praise and recognition for their work throughout such strange and unprecedented times.
This was my way of doing that, they do such a worthy and unsung job in our community.
I couldn’t have done it without the support from the GMB Union, two of their officers came along to the deliveries, the help of Jenna and the Community Choir and Santa himself AKA Kevin Musgrave, they too deserve my thanks.
