Wigan’s Santa to a Senior 2026: help us make Christmas brighter for older people across Wigan borough

Following the fantastic response to last year’s Santa to a Senior campaign, home care provider Home Instead Wigan is once again launching its annual Christmas appeal for 2026, asking the public to come together to make a difference to older people across Wigan borough.

The campaign aims to collect gifts for older people who may have nobody to spend Christmas with, may be feeling isolated, or might otherwise go without a present this festive season.

Through the generosity of local residents, the team hopes to deliver a little happiness, warmth and reassurance to those who need it most.

Last year, the campaign received an incredible amount of support and collected a fantastic number of donations.

Building on that success, Home Instead Wigan hopes the community will once again rally together to show older residents that they are valued, remembered and cared for.

Members of the public are being encouraged to donate gifts such as chocolates, biscuits, toiletries, socks, blankets, hats, scarves and gloves. Every donation, no matter how big or small, can help make Christmas that little bit brighter for someone in the local community.

Donations can be collected or brought to Wigan Investment Centre, helping the team gather gifts that can then be distributed to older people across the borough.

As part of this year’s appeal, Home Instead Wigan is reaching out to local supermarkets and stores to ask whether they would be willing to support the campaign by allowing the team to spend a day or two at their premises as a designated collection point.

Having collection points at supermarkets would make it easier for shoppers to donate an item while doing their usual weekly shop, helping the campaign reach more people and gather even more gifts for older residents.

The team hopes local supermarkets will get behind this community initiative and help make a meaningful difference to those who may be facing a lonely Christmas.

Any supermarket or local business interested in supporting the campaign by hosting a collection day is warmly encouraged to get in touch.

A Home Instead spokesperson said: “Santa to a Senior is about more than presents. It is about showing older people that they have not been forgotten and reminding them that their local community cares.

“We hope that, with the continued generosity of local residents and the support of local businesses, the 2026 campaign can build on last year’s success and spread even more Christmas cheer throughout Wigan borough.

Donations can be brought to or collected for the campaign at Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan.

For more information about donating, or if your supermarket or business would like to become a collection point, please contact Home Instead Wigan, either by email on [email protected] or by ringing 01942 363414.

The spokesperson added: “Together, we can help make Christmas a little brighter for older people across our borough.

“Because no one should be alone at Christmas.”