We know that in Ireland the Christmas period is a time of joy and celebration for many, but for some, it can bring about mixed emotions. At Ashdale, we understand that there are unique challenges that are faced by our children and young people. We use this understanding to try to create a caring and supportive environment that helps them feel loved, valued and part of our ‘family’ during this very special festive time.
The first priority is to recognise the challenges. For our children, Christmas can be an emotional time and can be a reminder of family connections or of traditions that they might be missing. Feelings of loneliness, worry or sadness can be common during this period. There is an expectation that it should be a time of connection and happiness. Everyone in our Ashdale Community of Care approaches this time with sensitivity, acknowledging all of the emotions, both positive and negative, being experienced by our young people. Our focus is on being authentically present with them, providing lots of reassurance and support, and ensuring that they feel connected and cared for.
Creating a festive atmosphere is next on our list. We work extremely hard to keep a warm and inclusive Christmas spirit in all of our homes. We put up decorations together, we have festive music, arts and crafts and lots of fun. Like families all over Ireland, we encourage our children to take an active part in all the preparations, whether baking, decorating a tree or staying up late to watch The Toy Show. This helps to bring joy and celebration to each home. Our wonderful teams of carers work closely with the children to plan these activities and create traditions that are unique to each home. This helps to create a sense of ownership and belonging for all at this sometimes challenging time of the year, ensuring we make some happy memories for our children for years to come.
This period can be overwhelming for many adults, so it is no surprise it can be overwhelming for children. In addition, many of our children come from different cultural, national and religious backgrounds, with different traditions. Each child is unique and we dedicate time and energy to understanding and respecting their backgrounds, preferences and cultural traditions as well as their emotional and mental state. We try to make the season as inclusive as possible, incorporating activities and celebrations that reflect the diverse identities of our residents, as well as ensuring that we celebrate other holidays and traditions through December and throughout the rest of the year.
In Ashdale, we always ensure that maintaining connections where possible with family is a priority during Christmas. Where we can, we support every child in reaching out to their families through visits, calls or cards. For those who do not have close family ties, we make sure they feel part of a loving and caring home surrounded by people who truly value them.
While this period can be difficult, it also offers a lot of opportunities to build resilience and empathy. With open communication and consistent support in a loving, caring, connected home, we are able to help our children and young people navigate their emotions and develop strong coping strategies that will stand to them in the future.
Here at Ashdale, we think that this time is about so much more than just presents and celebrations. It’s about creating a sense of hope, belonging and possibility for every child. We cannot do this without the dedication of our fantastic teams who strive to make every child feel supported and loved, not just during December, but all year round.
Thank you to all of our incredible Community of Care, and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas!