A Renfrewshire woman has spent more than two decades giving up her own Christmas Day to make sure care-experienced young people are not alone during the festive period.
Helen Sloan, from Paisley, has marked 23 consecutive Christmas Days working with young people at Kibble, supporting those taking their first steps towards independent living.
Affectionately known as the real-life Mrs Claus, Helen has become a familiar and much-loved presence for young people who can find Christmas a difficult and emotional time.
This year will be her 24th Christmas Day at Kibble, where she works as a Child and Youth Care Worker within the charity’s Housing Support service. She helps young people learn essential life skills such as cooking, budgeting and managing a home — often the first place they have ever been able to call their own.
But it is the emotional support she provides that many young people value most.
Helen said she makes a point of giving young people her full attention, particularly at Christmas, when feelings can run high.
“I never rush off or say I need to go,” she said. “I want young people to know I am always there for them.”
For Helen, Christmas begins on Christmas Eve, when she visits each young person with a Santa sack filled with new pyjamas and small gifts before settling down to watch a festive film together.
Her aim is simple — to help young people feel cared for, calm and connected at a time of year that can be overwhelming.
“To me, there needs to be magic at Christmas,” she said. “On the 24th December, there needs to be Christmas jammies, Christmas movies and the smell of Christmas dinner prep in the air.”
Over the years, Helen has supported young people through a wide range of emotions on Christmas Day.
“One year a young person felt overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of the day,” she said. “I spent time helping them put their feelings into words and reassured them that together we would find a solution. That’s what matters — helping them feel heard and helping them feel safe.”
This year, Helen is supporting a young person with a love of reading and plans to spend Christmas morning with them, sharing breakfast, opening presents and making sure their day goes smoothly.
For Helen, the greatest reward comes from seeing young people carry the traditions forward as they grow.
Last Christmas, she visited a former young person in their own home to find them dressed in new pyjamas, excitedly announcing that Santa had been and preparing a home-cooked dinner.
“Seeing them recreate the traditions we built together was magical,” she said.
Helen’s family fully support her decision to work every Christmas Day, understanding the importance of her role in the lives of the young people she supports.
“It is a privilege to be part of a young person’s day,” she said. “Never in 23 years has Kibble felt like work.”
Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive of Kibble, praised Helen and the wider staff team for their commitment.
“Our entire staff team go above and beyond every single day to be there for young people when they need support the most,” he said.
“Their commitment doesn’t stop at Christmas. No matter the time of year, we make sure the young people we care for feel connected, valued and supported.”
As another Christmas Day approaches, Helen Sloan will once again be there — bringing warmth, reassurance and a bit of festive magic to the young people who need it most.
More information about fostering and supporting young people with Kibble is available at www.kibble.org.
Photo: Helen Sloan from Kibble