Greater Manchester HC-One homes communicate as pen palsPenpals were set up a few weeks ago between HC-One wellbeing coordinators Stacey Sharples, Lisa Mowlem and Amy Hunt of Ashton View Care Home, Brooklands Care Home and Ghyll Grove Care Home respectively.

The wellbeing coordinators came together after connecting on a wellbeing page and decided to join the pen pal project for Residents; due to lockdown they thought it would be a great way to get Residents communicating with each other through letters with someone of similar age and interests.  

Several Residents have embraced the project at Ashton View, they have enjoyed writing the letters and look forward to receiving replies. The project has helped all the Residents across the three homes to make more friends and boost moral during lockdown as it gives them the opportunity to let other Residents know they are not alone during this pandemic. 

Stacey remarked, “At Ashton View we have seven Residents that are currently involved in the project where they have been able to express themselves through their letters, they have been able to share their hobbies and interests and reminisce about their younger years.” 

The Residents love receiving their letters; they sit with a drink and snacks reading or listening to their received letters, then composing their replies with the help of Colleagues if needed.  In the future when it is safe to do so and restrictions are lifted the plan is to arrange visits for the Residents to actually meet the people they have been building a friendship with through letters during lockdown.  

Home Manager, Jamie Duncan-Noke, commented, “It’s great that our Residents are still making friends with like-minded people who understand how they are feeling and who can also reminisce about the past with them.”