Aged Care Secret Santa delivers Christmas joy

THE community has once again rallied to spread the magic of Christmas through the local aged care facilities.

Organised by Inverloch Coast Care general service officer Brooke Smith, the Aged Care Secret Santa program is now a beloved tradition in its third year.

Brooke began delivering festive joy to others when she started doing Secret Santa amongst her friends.

She decided to implement the concept into Inverloch Coast Care after seeing the disconnect caused by the pandemic.

“Residents couldn’t have visitors, especially during lockdowns. Sometimes they could barely leave their rooms,” she said.

“Secret Santa was a way to stay connected and it helped to get the community involved. People have enjoyed doing it and it’s been wonderful.

The program delivers gifts to 110 residents at Inverloch Coast Care.

Last year, the program branched out to include Griffiths Point in San Remo and Kirrak House in Wonthaggi.

Around 200 gifts are delivered between the two facilities.

Brooke said she tries to match residents with members of the community who share similar interests.

“It has been received amazingly. From the first year at 

Inverloch, the staff and residents really loved it. There were tears and laughter when the gifts were received,” she said.

“The residents were really thankful; it made their day. There have been some amazing presents received.”

Some of the gift ideas have included personal paintings, children’s drawings, clothes, indoor plants and vases.

“I don’t put a money limit on it, it’s whatever people are able to donate during these times,” Brooke said.

“Some of the gifts are bought, some are handmade, it all varies.”

Brooke said she has had people reach out from far and wide to be involved in the program, and she has encouraged others to start up Secret Santa programs in facilities close to home.

“It’s well worth it and any form of community volunteering helps to improve mental health outcomes for the residents,” she said.

The residents at Griffiths Point and Kirrak House will open their gifts with their lifestyle teams this week, while presents will be delivered by Brooke to Inverloch Coast Care on Christmas Eve.

“I want to thank the amazing community for its help this year – I couldn’t do it alone,” she said.

To find out more about the program or to become involved, head to the Aged Care Secret Santa Facebook page.