Lisburn man’s appeal to help older people at Christmas inspired by own parents

Stuart Cahoon
-Credit: (Image: Submitted)


A man from Northern Ireland has launched an appeal to help older people at Christmas inspired by his own parents.

Stuart Cahoon started a Facebook page six months ago called Stuart Has a Natter as he noticed following the pandemic, people had closed themselves off and a sense of community spirit had disappeared.

Now, over 200 people from across Northern Ireland and different parts of the world are part of his online community, and have developed friendships. They have started previous appeals, including to donate stationary items to local schools, and Stuart is now beginning to launch his Christmas appeal.

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Named the Stuart Has a Natter Dignity at Chistmas Appeal, the Lisburn man said it was inspired by his own parents who are currently living in local care homes. Recognising that personal items have to either be purchased by those living in the care homes or brought in by families, Stuart is keen to help those who may not have family to help.

Stuart dropping donated items off during his previous stationary appeal for local schools
Stuart dropping donated items off during his previous stationary appeal for local schools -Credit:Submitted

Speaking to Belfast Live about the appeal, he said: "The Christmas appeal is all about giving dignity to older people. My mum and dad are both in a home, my dad took Alzheimer's about nine years ago, and my mum was caring for him at home.

"But five years ago, my mum had an accident on Christmas Day where she fell down the stairs and suffered a massive brain injury. It meant her and my dad ended up in a care home within months of each other.

"All personal items brought in are items they have to get themselves or they are supplied by their families. I know some people in care homes may not have family to get their personal items for them, so we started the Stuart Has a Natter Dignity at Christmas Appeal.

"I just want to let someone have a wee bit of dignity at Christmas - of smelling nice, having the personal items they need like deodorants, hairbrush, a face cloth. We're going to make some wee packs up and bring them to care homes in the Lisburn area.

"I've heard stories of staff bringing items in for the residents, and they're trying their best, but it's not fair and we want to help out."

Stuart said since starting his Facebook group earlier this year, members have contacted him saying it has provided them with a connection to the outside world.

He said: "I'm a communicator, I like talking, and I noticed since covid people had really closed themselves off. For example, say you were out in the street and you said good morning to someone walking by, they were just blanking you. Since Covid, a lot of people who had isolated remained isolated and closed themselves off.

"I'm a disabled person and had been through the lockdown and had to isolate due to my disability, and it was unbelieveable, you never forget it. I wanted to do something for our local community, to help bring back that community spirit.

"I started sharing pre-recorded videos talking about shared experiences of life, whether we were talking about depression or addiction, and people would be talking about their experiences and sharing back. I then took it one step further and now every Tuesday night, I go live, and I have a topic every week and people chat away about it in the chat.

"People in the group who are disabled and can't leave the house have contacted me and said I'm their connection to the outside world. There have been people who have become friends through the page, and have met up for coffee. I just wanted to bring people together as a community."

Stuart's Christmas appeal will officially begin on October 24, with donation points open at that stage across the Lisburn area. They will be accepting donations of a range of toiletries and he is encouraging local businesses to get in touch and get involved with the appeal too.

More information on donation points and the appeal will be available on the Facebook page here.

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