A HOMECARE provider is giving gifts to all its staff and clients in the run-up to Christmas to say thank you for their hard work and support.

All the staff who work at Westmorland Homecare’s Kendal, Lancaster and Poulton branches will receive a special festive package.

It includes skincare products supplied by Pure Lakes Skincare of Staveley and a bottle of toffee apple vodka spirit drink from Kin Vodka of Ulverston.

“It has been great to work with local companies to provide these products,” said Dr Chris Moss, one of the directors of Westmorland Homecare. “They have a similar philosophy to us of really looking after people.”

The presents will also include home-made cakes and fudge made by Westmorland Homecare staff and a hand-made Christmas card.

The gifts will be handed over at a series of mulled wine and gift-giving receptions.

“It is so important to look after your staff,” said Dr Moss. “They are not huge gifts but they are a token to show our utmost appreciation for the work the team does in the community.”

In addition, all the company’s clients will receive a gift. Some have already been handed out at a Christmas party held at Ibis Sports and Social Club in Kendal.

“The party was amazing and heart-warming,” said Dr Moss. “For one gentleman it was only the third time he had been out in the past three years and he was a bit apprehensive. But he absolutely loved it and had a great time.

“Pupils from Selside School came along for some inter-generational activity and that worked really well.

“It’s important that people stay warm this winter and the social was in a lovely, cosy place.”

He added: “The gifts for our clients are a little token to say thank you for all their support because without the clients we are not able to run the service.

“Handing out the gifts to staff and clients ties in with Westmorland Homecare’s ethos - our whole vision of living life to the full and of kindness, trusting and enriching.”

It is not the first time gifts have been given out. “Christmas can be a lonely time for people so we try to do something like this for clients and staff every year,” said Dr Moss.

Westmorland Homecare provides hundreds of hours of care each week to enable elderly and often frail people to live independently in their own home.

Its services include home care, such as help with housekeeping and meal preparation, and personal care, such as help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed.