Leicester Mercury

Pupils show elderly they have the write stuff

PANDEMIC LETTERS TO CARE HOMES ARE A BIG HIT

- By STAFF REPORTER

CHILDREN have been writing letters and sending in pictures to elderly people who have been confined to their care homes during the pandemic.

The initiative connected children from Martinshaw Primary School, in Groby, and older people throughout the community.

The children wrote letters to the pensioners that not only brought joy to both, but also taught the children letter writing skills.

Nisha Chandarana, owner and managing director of Home Instead West Leicesters­hire and Market Bosworth, said the initiative had been a great success.

“We recognise that the elderly have had a rough time during the pandemic; not being able to see their family, friends and grandchild­ren, which is why we launched the letter writing campaign,” she said.

“We want to let them know that the wider community is thinking about them, as is the team at Home Instead.

“There is such a lovely connection between children and older people, and many of our clients who have been unable to see their grandchild­ren for most of the past year found real happiness in receiving these letters.”

One of the care home’s residents, Donald Avery, said he loved receiving the letters and could not wait to receive the next. He thought it was a wonderful idea.

Neil Elson, headmaster at Martinshaw Primary, said: “The letter writing was a lovely opportunit­y for the children to connect with the elderly in a very different way.

“They really enjoyed writing their letters, knowing that they will be spreading positivity in the area.”

 ??  ?? ‘WONDERFUL IDEA’: Donald Avery with some of the pictures and letters he has received
‘WONDERFUL IDEA’: Donald Avery with some of the pictures and letters he has received

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom