Northern Trust brings festive cheer to rural residents
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is working with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to spread festive cheer by gifting food hampers to some of our most elderly rural residents.
This includes those with limited social or family support and those in the care of our District Nursing teams.
Yvonne Carson, the Northern Trust’s Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, said: “We are the largest geographical Health Trust in Northern Ireland, with 42.5% of our population living in the countryside, including a significant number of older people. This partnership will help support those most in need and bring some warmth and joy this Christmas.”
Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach in the Northern Trust, added: “We know that many older people living rurally face specific challenges including isolation, difficulty getting out and about, and higher living costs.
“These specially chosen food hampers, including long life items, will go some way to supporting our elderly population at this special time of year. We also want to acknowledge those people living with long term conditions who find it difficult to get out and about and who require input from their district nursing team.”
Welcoming the initiative, Joanne Brown Kerr from Bann Maine West said: “We are delighted to be partnering with our colleagues from the Northern Trust and our volunteers have been really excited about preparing the hampers and being able to give something back to the local community.
“It is important we remember our older, rural population and ensure they feel connected and valued during the festive season.”
15th December 2025
