Care homes inundated with messages from family members

A family-run group of care homes has been inundated with more than 400 festive messages of love from residents’ family members.

The videos were filmed and sent in by loved ones to enable Nellsar, which runs care homes across Kent, Surrey and Essex, to produce a personalised virtual Christmas concert for each of its 13 homes.

The concerts, performed by The Bel Canto Sopranos, a classical crossover group, featured much-loved traditional carols such as Silent Night and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, alongside foot-tapping festive hits like Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, White Christmas and Winter Wonderland. 

Whilst watching these beautiful classical concerts in the safety and warmth of their homes, residents were surprised and delighted by emotional messages from their families and loved ones throughout the hour-long concert aired on Christmas Day.  

‘With visiting restrictions still in place and our usual Christmas concerts unable to go ahead we wanted to do something extra special and personal for our residents,’ said Nellsar’s recreation and wellbeing manager, Viv Stead.

‘Consequently, we approached The Bel Canto Sopranos who were able to create this unique Christmas concert for us and, the icing on the cake, was that we were able to involve so many of our residents’ loved ones – which was a lovely surprise for those watching.

‘We have been overwhelmed by the response and the effort the families have gone to, to help make this magical. We’ve had an amazing number of messages of all kinds, from spouses, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. People have truly embraced the Christmas spirit with singing, dancing and even fancy dress to help raise a smile for all our residents. Our staff have also got involved, creating personal messages for the homes they work in and for any residents who don’t have close family to call upon.’