OAPs at a Bristol care home who put out a plea for pen pals during lockdown have received responses from across the globe. - in just 24 hours
Residents at Cleeve Lodge Residential Care Home in Downend put pen to paper asking for people to write to them during lockdown.
The idea was brainchild of activities co-ordinator T’yanna Robinson who saw a similar suggestion on Facebook by a care home in America.
The plea has sparked an incredible response with the home being deluged with letters emailed to residents in just 24 hours. Letters have come in from as far away as Africa and Dubai – and that’s before the postman has even been.
Those residents who wanted to take part had their picture taken alongside a board with their name and their interests. T’yanna, 19, then posted the appeal on Facebook.
T’yanna said: “I saw the idea on Facebook as a care home in America was doing a similar thing. I thought it would be a good idea to do here. Due to lockdown, visits to the home have been prevented and are still restricted and I think our residents were feeling that.
“They are missing their loved ones and I thought this would be a great way of our residents being able to interact with other people apart from the care staff.”
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T’yanna’s post has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook.
“We’ve had a massive response – we can’t keep up,” she said.
She added: “One lady, who lives in Africa sent a letter and another lady who used to live in Bristol and now lives in Dubai also wrote and included some lovely pictures.
“Some people are writing to individual residents who they have a common interest in while others are writing to the home as a whole.
"I cannot believe the response in just a day and that’s before we get any actual post.
“The letters are really brightening our residents’ day. Everyone loves getting letters and post.
“This is such a special thing for people to get involved with and it could see the start of some beautiful friendships.”
