The mPower NHS Western Isles Community Navigators teamed up with the Islands Volunteer Centre to launch the ‘Give a Gift, Light up a Life’ campaign’ for a few years at Christmas time. The project aimed to reduce social isolation amongst older socially isolated adults by asking for donations of hand-written Christmas cards and small gifts for distribution.
It was a huge success, and everyone was overwhelmed by the levels of generosity and kindness. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the project is needed more than ever and was expanded when it opened up to ensure recipients could be anyone over the age of 18 feeling socially isolated. THe Volunteer Centre Western Isles produced a step by step guide for community groups, third sector organisations and churches to run their own ‘Give a Gift, Light up a Life’ campaign. Please visit www.volunteercentrewi.org for more details.