This Walton beauty salon is opening on Christmas Day to give free breakfasts to anyone alone

A hair and beauty salon in Walton is opening on Christmas Day to offer free breakfasts and company to anyone who would otherwise be alone.

Owner Debbie Maher decided to open Elysium on County Road to bring together people of all ages who might be vulnerable or isolated on what should be a happy day.

Since she posted on social media about what she was planning, mum-of-three Debbie has been inundated with offers of help from the local community.

She says she wants to create a special event for anyone who’s having a tough time.

“At the front of the shop we have a coffee shop and a kitchen and the back is the salon,” she explains. “On Christmas Day we’re going to be doing it up like a grotto, we’ll have breakfast with Santa for mums struggling with kids who wouldn’t see anyone, the elderly who are on their own with no partners or family, or people who are homeless or in later stages of recovery.

“It’s really for anyone who’s vulnerable and on their own and wouldn’t have much of a Christmas.

“I see people come into the salon every year and they’re in tears because they’re lonely or they’re mums who are stressing because they haven’t got presents for the kids.

“Christmas can just heighten the misery for people who are already miserable, and it can make mental health issues worse too because all these TV adverts show everyone having a great time while they’re sitting on their own with not enough money for heating or clothes.

“They feel sick waiting for it to come and then they just want it to be over, and that’s not what Christmas should be about.”

Elysium hair & beauty Christmas Instagram Post. Credit: Elysium

In addition to people offering to drive and pick up families and older people, and to cook and serve food on the day, Debbie has had donations of toys from Cash for Kids, and food from Aldi and the local community centre. The girls in the salon have also put together a £1,000 raffle to raise money for the money for bacon, sausages and veggie sausages for the breakfast.

“We’ll have Santa’s grotto and a disco with elves downstairs, then upstairs there’ll be lots of volunteers going around with hot chocolates and food so people can sit and have a chat and something to eat.”

Debbie says the salon will be open from 10am to 2pm, and the event will be free for anyone.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do and my kids are 28, 26 and 18 now so I thought this is the time. It helps bring the community together and the response we’ve had has been absolutely amazing.

“I want everyone to have something to look forward to on Christmas Day, so they don’t just feel like they’re alone and struggling.

“This is our first year so we’re just seeing what we can do, but I’d love to do this every year and I hope next year we’ll be doing it in a big hall where we can have loads more people.

“I want every family who’s vulnerable to be able to think, I’m not going to be alone on Christmas Day, I’m going there. They can meet friends, and other people, and hopefully just help each other.”