Northern Trust and Bann Maine West unite to support older rural residents this Christmas

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and  Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most elderly and isolated residents living in rural communities this Christmas.

Through the partnership, specially selected food hampers are being distributed to older people who have limited social or family support, including those receiving care from the Trust’s District Nursing teams.

The initiative aims to provide both practical support and a meaningful reminder that vulnerable residents are valued and remembered during the festive season.

Bann Maine West Community Cluster acts as a central hub for community and voluntary groups across the west of Ballymena, supporting collaboration, training and shared opportunities to strengthen local communities.

The organisation works closely with groups in Ahoghill, Cloney, Cullybackey, Galgorm, Gracehill, Grange, Portglenone and Tullygarley.

Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse at Cullybackey Medical Practice.

For many elderly residents living in these rural areas, Christmas can be a particularly challenging time, with isolation, mobility issues and rising living costs compounding everyday difficulties.

Yvonne Carson, the Northern Trust’s Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying:

“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.”

District Nursing teams play a vital role in identifying individuals who would benefit most from the hampers, ensuring support reaches those who may otherwise go unseen.

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West.

Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach in the Northern Trust, said many older people living rurally face unique pressures:

“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.”

Behind the scenes, volunteers from Bann Maine West Community Cluster have been working to prepare and distribute the hampers, adding a strong human-interest element rooted in local goodwill and community spirit.

Joanne Brown Kerr from Bann Maine West welcomed the collaboration, saying:

“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.”

The initiative reflects a wider commitment by both organisations to address rural isolation and strengthen community connections, particularly at a time of year when loneliness can be felt most acutely.