At Braeburn Care, we believe that outstanding care goes beyond meeting physical needs. It’s about connection, community, and celebrating the unique stories of every individual we support. That’s why we proudly launched the Braeburn Care Christmas Card Competition. A joyful initiative designed to engage our customers, spark creativity, and bring people together during the festive season.
More than just a festive activity, the competition reflects our commitment to delivering person-centred care with heart and meaning. Through this initiative, our customers had the chance to share their creativity, participate in something special, and showcase their talents as part of the Braeburn Care community.
Why We Created the Braeburn Care Christmas Card Competition
For many older people or those living alone, Christmas can feel like a time of reflection — or even isolation. At Braeburn Care, we work every day to combat that by creating genuine moments of connection and inclusion.
The idea for the Christmas Card Competition was born from our desire to give customers a way to express themselves, feel part of something bigger, and see their creativity celebrated across the communities we serve in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Crowborough and surrounding areas.
Each customer was invited to design a Christmas card — and our team was blown away by the level of care, detail and meaning in every entry. From traditional snowy scenes to heartfelt messages, each design told its own story.
The winning design would be:
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Digitally transferred and printed as our official Braeburn Care Christmas card for 2025
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Shared with our wider community via post and online
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Rewarded with a two-hour domestic clean in December, offering a practical gift during a busy time of year
Announcing Our Winner: Audrey
This year’s winning design comes from Audrey, a truly remarkable woman whose story is as inspiring as her artwork. Audrey is an accomplished writer, former journalist, and passionate advocate for creative expression. Over the years, she built a successful career writing for trade and technical publications before founding and managing her own printing business. In her retirement, she returned to her love of literature — authoring a powerful and moving book about the lived experiences of people transported during the Holocaust.
Now in her 90s, Audrey lives independently with limited eyesight. As a registered blind individual, she’s rarely seen without her magnifying glass and a sense of determination. She’s supported by her family, neighbours, and the Braeburn Care team, who assist her both at home and in the community.
Despite her challenges, Audrey embraced the opportunity to take part in the Braeburn Care Christmas Card Competition – and we were moved by the beauty and thought behind her design.
Audrey’s Winning Design
The design captures the spirit of the season, while also reflecting Audrey’s personal style, story and sentiment. It is a powerful example of how creativity can thrive at any age, and how even the smallest activity can bring joy and purpose when approached with care.
A Quick Q&A with Audrey
We had the privilege of sitting down with Audrey to hear more about her inspiration and thoughts on the competition. Here are just a few of her reflections:
- How did it feel to take part in the Braeburn Care Christmas Card Competition – and to be chosen as this year’s winner? I am very happy to win especially as I have limited eye sight. I thought it would be fun and it was!
- As a writer and someone with such a rich creative background, what role has creativity played in your life – especially in recent years? I take a lot of pride in my writing and am currently writing another book on my typewriter. It keeps me busy with thinking about my writing and putting it to paper, especially with having limited eye sight.
- Despite being registered blind, you clearly haven’t let that limit your imagination. What advice would you give to others about staying creative and involved, no matter the challenges? I am lucky that I have some sight in one eye which helps me want to be creative. Also music keeps me going and motivated.
- What does Christmas mean to you, and how do you like to celebrate the season? I am aware that Christmas is a religious event but Christmas to me is about giving and receiving gifts and making people happy.
Audrey’s words are a true reflection of the heart behind the competition – and a reminder that care is about so much more than routine. It’s about being seen, heard, and celebrated, which she reiterated to her grandchildren during their recent visit where she showed them her winning design.
Why This Matters
The Braeburn Care Christmas Card Competition is one of the many ways we work to embed our values – compassion, accountability, excellence and reassurance – into everyday experiences. These are the moments that help us build genuine relationships with our customers and offer support that goes far beyond the basics.
By taking the time to celebrate creativity, we’re reminding everyone we work with that they are not just recipients of care – they are individuals with talents, voices, and stories worth sharing.
Looking Ahead
Our competition will return again next year, and we hope to see even more entries from our customers across West Kent and East Sussex. Whether it’s painting, drawing, collage or something totally unique, we welcome all creative efforts.
To everyone who took part – thank you. And to Audrey – congratulations once again. Your card is not just a symbol of the season, but a symbol of the strength and creativity that lives within our community.
