North Devon Care Home Unite to Send Birthday Cards After BBC Story Sparks Heartfelt Response

A story shared by the BBC this week struck a chord with the team at Heanton Nursing Home, a home in North Devon that supports people with complex needs, prompting an immediate and heartfelt response from everyone in the home.

The article told the story of a little girl called Amelia, who has spent much of her young life in and out of hospital, facing more challenges than any child should have to. The family shared with the BBC how receiving birthday cards would mean a great deal to Amelia, giving her hope and reminding her of the support around her, after she set herself the ambitious goal of receiving 8,000 cards for her 8th birthday in an attempt to break the UK record.

When the team at Heanton read the piece, they knew straight away they wanted to be involved.

One team member in particular, Noufal, helped spark the idea to get involved. He spoke with the home’s administrator, Sabrina, who quickly took it forward. Within hours, Sabrina was out at the shops, buying one of every birthday card on the shelf so that everyone could take part. As more people joined in, she even went back out again to buy additional cards, making sure no one was left out.

From there, the whole home got behind the idea. Every team member joined in, alongside the people who live at Heanton, fondly referred to as family members by the home.

For many family members, writing birthday cards was just as meaningful as it was enjoyable. For people living with a Dementia, activities like this feel deeply familiar. They draw on life experiences many people have carried with them for years, marking birthdays, choosing kind words and doing something thoughtful for someone else. These are routines many people have carried out throughout their lives, and returning to them can bring a sense of comfort and purpose.

Holding a card, writing a message and signing their name gave family members the chance to connect with a familiar role, that of being a friend, a neighbour, or someone who cares, it allowed them to take part as people with a lifetime of experiences to share, rather than being defined by a diagnosis. The atmosphere was calm, purposeful and full of conversation, with plenty of smiles along the way.

The cards are now all written, sealed and carefully packed, ready to arrive in time for Amelia’s birthday.

Home manager Abigail Denford said: “It was one of those moments where everyone just came together naturally. Our family members loved being involved, and the team didn’t hesitate for a second. It reminded us how powerful small, familiar acts of kindness can be, not just for the person receiving them, but for everyone taking part too.”