19 December 2025
At Heron Hill Care Home, the festive spirit this year has been about more than decorations and carols — it’s been about community, generosity, and going the extra mile.
This morning, some of our dedicated staff set out to collect Christmas presents for every resident, a task that was made extra special thanks to the incredible support of the local community.
The new landlady, Kelly Appleton, of The Heron Pub, set up a Christmas gift tree dedicated to our residents. Each gift had a tag with a resident’s name, allowing local people to choose a tag and buy a gift specifically for that individual. The response was overwhelming — within just three days, all the gift tags had been taken, and the community went above and beyond by delivering extra presents to ensure no resident was left out.
For our residents, this act of kindness was deeply moving. Wendy, one of our residents, became a little tearful as she shared,
“She is so happy. The staff always make Christmas special, but this is going that extra mile for us all. Kelly deserves a big drink as a thank you!”
It’s moments like these that remind us that Christmas is truly about connection, kindness, and community. The generosity of strangers coming together to make our residents feel seen, valued, and loved is a shining example of the holiday spirit in action.
At Heron Hill, and across all Abbey Healthcare homes, we are proud to be part of communities that care, celebrate, and create memories together. This Christmas, our hearts are full — not just from the presents, but from the love and thoughtfulness that went into each one. 💖
