A regional campaign to tackle loneliness amongst care home residents amid the Coronavirus outbreak is being launched.
The campaign, the latest version of the popular Cards for Kindness initiative, is asking people to brighten up someone's day by sending a card, picture or poem to one of their local care homes.
Care home residents can often feel isolated, especially in the current climate with visiting restricted and trips out suspended, loneliness is more prominent than ever.
Now in its third year, Cards for Kindness is a joint initiative between Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council, the campaign has previously appealed for postcards over the summer and Christmas cards during the festive period.
The theme of this latest campaign is 'hope, from our home to yours'.
Talib Yaseen, Executive Director of Transformation for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said:
“With the ongoing measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to do something a little bit different for this summer’s campaign. Now more than ever, we want to let people living in care homes know that the community is still thinking of them.
“It is always lovely to receive something in the post, and ten minutes of your time could really make a difference to local care home residents. Write a poem, draw a picture – or simply write in a greetings card. A selection of cards are even available to download and print from the Cards for Kindness webpage.”
County Councillor Shaun Turner Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:
“Tackling loneliness in our care homes is crucial and receiving a card, picture or message will really help residents at this difficult time. See how creative you can be 3 with the materials you already have at home, or see what you can pick up whilst you’re shopping for necessary supplies and post during your daily exercise.
"Getting the children involved is also a great way to give them something to do in their spare time.
“We know that chronic social isolation can reduce life expectancy by an equivalent amount to smoking, and can greatly increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Feedback from previous years showed that care home residents who received cards were prompted to start conversations and share their own memories, so every card will be greatly appreciated.
"We want to remind our residents that there's always somebody thinking of them.”
To find out more including contact details of participating care homes, visit healthierlsc.co.uk/CardsForKindness