WHILE large scale feasts and gatherings are on the cards for many at Christmas, loneliness is a reality which can be amplified in the festive season.
One Tamworth woman hopes to stem feelings of isolation among the city’s elderly by getting preschoolers to write Christmas cards for nursing home residents.
Ashleigh Walton said loneliness was becoming more prevalent in the community and was inspired demonstrate more kindness, particularly to vulnerable people, after a nursing home visit last year.
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“[One resident] mentioned that she used to receive weekly visits, but her children are now grown up and have moved away with their own families,” Ms Walton said.
“There was no resentment behind her statement, just recognition that she had raised her children and now it was time for them to make their own way in the world.
“This woman’s humbleness was a reminder for me that one day I will be in her position, and it has encouraged me to find ways to be kind to the members of our community who may not be the most visible.”
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
