How South Tyneside youngsters gave elderly residents a Christmas boost after carol concert cancelled due to Covid

Students from Hedworthfield and Valley View Primary schools came together to present hearts they had created themselves with positive messages at nearby Calf Close House in Hedworth.

Under normal circumstances children from both schools would have performed Christmas carols at the home, but Covid restrictions meant they were unable to, which was a disappointment for both the residents and the young singers.

However, pupils still managed to socially distanced drop-off the hearts within social distancing, which contained messages such as: “I hope you can see your loved ones soon", "Merry Christmas, hope you see your family soon", “Stay safe, Merry Christmas”, "Be positive" and “We will come and sing to you soon”.

Lynne Whitehead, Housing Plus officer at Calf Close House said: “It was a lovely thing for the children to do, especially in the current situation.

“It really cheered all the residents up to see the children. It was absolutely beautiful and we’re going to make a lovely display from the hearts they made.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to both schools for coming.”

Cathryn Henderson is operations coordinator for Mosaic Federation and works with both schools.

She said: “We made lovely community links with Calf Close residential home last year when the choir from each school visited the home, to sing Christmas songs for the residents.

“The children were devastated when they learned that they could not visit the home this year to sing to the residents.

“But rather than be downhearted they instead each designed a heart with a personal positive message to show kindness and to pass on some Christmas cheer.”

Christmas 2020 is going to be tougher than usual for many residents across Jarrow. But the coronavirus pandemic has brought out the best in the community.

Hedworthfield Community Association has, with the help of some extremely generous local people, schools and businesses, arranged to distribute hot meals, including Christmas dinners across the area. The association has also helped Santa to hand out presents to youngsters whose parents might be struggling.

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