To many it may seem like a relic of a bygone age, but the art of letter writing is now being used to comfort some of the people hardest hit by the pandemic.
Be Someone for Someone, an initiative of Feros Care, launched the 1,000 Notes of Friendship campaign to help seniors who’ve been isolated in COVID-19.
The goal was simple.
Ask strangers to send letters and handwritten notes to lonely, vulnerable seniors. Be Someone for Someone put a call out and set an initial target of 1,000 letters.
Jo Winwood, head of Be Someone for Someone, says the organisation was overwhelmed by the response and achieved the target in record time.
“Now, because of the pandemic, many people have realised the importance of taking time to make meaningful connections with others, and we want to make sure this becomes a permanent way of thinking. Letters have been coming in thick and fast since restrictions were introduced,” she said.
“We’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the difference these letters have made to those sending and receiving them.”
The letters came in so thick and fast Be Someone for Someone decided to keep the program open, after hitting the initial target.
“We’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the difference these letters have made to those sending and receiving them,” said Ms Winwood.
“The letters have been distributed to seniors in the community as well as residents in Aged Care, and I know a number of letter writers that have received beautiful return letters – starting a wonderful new connection between the generations.”
And it’s still open to participate! Learn how you can make a difference here.
