Chichester care homes 'overwhelmed' with 'postcards of kindness' from children in scheme to combat loneliness

Wellington Grange has been inundated with goodwill wishes after a Facebook post by a healthcare assistant was shared more than 2,000 times

The Postcards of Kindness initiative has encouraged children who are off school due to the coronavirus pandemic to become pen pals of elderly folk at Marriot House and Lodge in Tollhouse Close and Wellington Grange in Broyle Road.

Sarah Harding, head of activities at Marriot House and Lodge, said: “We have been overwhelmed by what we have received and it has made such a difference, we feel really loved.

“We have received cards, letters, pictures, poems and about 50 emails that we are reading with the residents and replying to on a daily basis. It really does make us feel part of an amazing community. One family sent us a whole story and the children had made drawings of the characters which they sent us and they have promised us a sequel.”

Residents at Marriott and Lodge care home enjoyed reading their letters

Resident Molly said ‘it is nice to know we are not forgotten’. She added: “It is nice to receive lovely post and messages, we have also received some lovely pictures and drawings from children which are such a treasure. Thank you for not forgetting about us and taking time out to send these to us.”

Fellow resident Pat said she has ‘loved reading’ all the cards and messages and said the pictures received from children are ‘so lovely’.

“Please continue to send them in,” she added.

General manager Maxine Spincer said the scheme has given the residents ‘something to focus on during this difficult time’, adding: "Being so isolated is a struggle for everyone and this project has made such a positive impact.

Staff at Marriot House and Lodge said the messages and pictures from children have made 'such a difference', adding: "We feel really loved."

"The staff at Marriott House and Lodge are working so hard to support the residents and I am immensely proud of them. We would encourage people to continue to send us messages and we will reply as quickly as possible.

"We have a board in the lounge for them to be displayed on.”

Wellington Grange, one of Colten Care’s 21 homes in the south, has also been ‘inundated with goodwill wishes’ after a Facebook post by healthcare assistant Natalie Agate was shared more than 2,000 times.

The post prompted Chichester Festival Theatre to offer to send Wellington Grange pre-recorded video clips of its youth theatre performances to be screened in the residents’ lounge and Chichester’s Bishop Luffa School pledged to invite pupils to write and send in 100 letters to the home.

Emily Hudson, senior companionship team leader, said: “The residents have been overwhelmed with the amount of kindness and love they have received.

"This is a lovely example of a local community coming together and supporting those more vulnerable and isolated during this time.”

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