The festive period is a time many people cherish. It is a time to spend with family, enjoy quality moments together and make new memories.
However, for essential workers across the care sector this festive period, they are putting family plans on hold as they dedicate themselves to keeping services running.
Lindsay Larmour from Johnstone is a Child and Youth Care Worker (CYCW) with national children’s charity Kibble Group and will be enjoying Christmas Day with the young people who receive care at one of the charity’s community-based residential children’s houses.
Lindsay and her colleagues will be going above and beyond to ensure the young people have a magical day, bringing extra festive spirit with lots of activities planned.
Lindsay said: “Striking the balance right at Christmas time can be tricky. This is why our approach to Christmas very much follows the lead of the young people in our care and doesn’t necessarily follow all of the traditional milestones. We’re absolutely guided by their views and wishes on how their Christmas takes shape.
“We start the celebrations early in December and like to make sure we make the festive period as magic as we can for the young people of Kibble. We have had festive trips to the cinema, shopping trips, trips to the Christmas market and we even made it out to the iconic Irn Bru Carnival. I love getting into the spirit, so much so my colleagues have named me Mrs Claus this year!
“My family were long-term foster parents so I have a unique take on what some of these young people will be feeling around the festive period and our roles is to help them process those emotions while also encouraging them to get involved. I like to think I am providing a fun, comfortable, relaxing and safe environment for our young people this Christmas, that’s what it all about isn’t it.
“I’m really proud of how the young people have come together this year to embrace the holiday spirit for themselves and for each other.”
Photo: Child and Youth Care Worker (CYCW) Lindsay Larmour
Photo Credit: Kibble Education & Care Centre
Lindsay is based in Glasgow whereas her colleague, Hayley Clark who is a service manager at one of Kibble’s other children’s residential houses is in Lochwinnoch and helps care for children between the ages of five and 12.
Hayley, from Bishopton, immerses herself and everyone at Forest View in the Christmas spirit throughout the month of December. She said: “Because of the ages of the young people we are looking after, it’s our job to really bring the magic of Christmas to life. We start the month writing our letters to Santa, decorating the tree and generally getting the schools and home festive-ready.
“This year we’ve introduced Elf on the Shelf, and the children absolutely love seeing what mischief the elf has been up to every morning. The joy and excitement on their faces is just wonderful and really makes all of the effort – across the team – worthwhile.
“December is jam-packed with crafts – we make and decorate our own stockings and decorations for the tree – visits to see Santa, Christmas parties and the preparation for Santa coming but it’s absolutely worth it when you see the joy on the children’s faces – these memories will live within them forever.
“For me, working Christmas Day is a culmination of all that work and the building of the relationships with the young people and it would feel like a story unfinished not to see them enjoying Christmas Day. There is no better feeling of knowing you are making a positive difference in a child’s life no matter how big or small that may be.”
Photo: Lochwinnoch residential Service Manager Hayley Clark
Photo Credit: Kibble Education & Care Centre
Kibble is a national children and young people’s care charity that provides a range of industry-leading trauma-informed services including residential care, secure care, therapeutic services, wellbeing services, young workforce development and education.
Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Kibble said: “Kibble supports young people 24/7, 365 days a year, which involves us giving our time on Christmas Day. Collectively, as a workforce, we understand our responsibility in being a constant for young people and view it is a privilege to contribute to their ongoing development and growth.
“The dedicated individuals who work across Kibble make a positive impact every day by showing up, listening, caring and respecting young people and I’m really proud of the nurturing environment that has been shaped across our wide range of services and locations.”
Kibble provides care, support and education services to young people who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. For more information visit https://www.kibble.org.
Headline image: Lindsay Larmour & Hayley Clark
Photo Credit: Kibble Education & Care Centre