Hundreds of letters have been exchanged and new friendships forged in a pen pal initiative with nursing home residents.
The programme, which launched in October, is aimed at connecting people to elderly people suffering loneliness and isolation.
The informal partnership was started by wedding supplier Stacey Fiat, from Kilcullen, in Co Kildare.
Within four days of putting out a pen pal request on social media, 11,000 people responded.
Ms Fiat said: “We had an amazing response, it was something I wasn’t prepared for. It was great.
“They chat about everything, from their interests to sports and anything they want to talk about.
“The residents can’t believe people want to write to them.
“The nursing homes were completely overwhelmed by the letters and there has been so much excitement around it.
“Residents have struggled so much without seeing family so this has helped them a bit.”
Ms Fiat, who runs Blissful Wedding Decor, said the programme has kept her busy as weddings have been postponed across the country.
She added: “We have lots more to pair up so we need more nursing homes to get involved.
“I have paired 3,000 people since October and there’s more waiting.”
Ian Sutton, a resident of Larchfield Park Care Centre in Naas, Co Kildare, said: “The letters made me feel wonderful. It gave me the feel good factor.”
Mary Darker, who works at Craddock House in Naas, said: “With text messages, emails and mobile phones, the joy of receiving a hand-written letter had almost been forgotten. What fun we have had reading the letters to our residents.”
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