Thousands of Christmas cards have been sent to residents of 20 care homes around Colchester, thanks to a scheme involving local schools.
Colchester City Council, working in partnership with FaNs Network and 13 primary and secondary schools, have helped coordinate delivery of more than 2,000 handmade and personalised Christmas cards from students, in a bid to spread joy to older residents this winter.
This is the third year the council and FaNs Network have teamed up to help bring the community together to tackle loneliness in the run up to Christmas.
Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, said: “I would like to thank every student who has sent a card to an older resident this year. This small action will really mean a huge amount to the person receiving it and opens an important dialogue between the elderly and the young.
“This has been another challenging year for care homes, and this community project aims to put a smile on the faces of some of our most cherished residents, who need it most. We are proud to be working in partnership with FaNs Network and local schools on this heart-warming community project.”
“Christina Shields. Community Networks Lead, FaNs Essex, added: “The importance of being involved and included within our communities is incredibly important at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas. The joy a simple Christmas card can bring is incomparable at times, especially when it is from someone the recipient has never met! It's one of our favourite projects!"
Sinead Whelan, Lifestyle Coordinator, Loganberry Lodge Care Home, said: “Our residents just love receiving Christmas cards – especially the handmade ones – from the school children we are partnered with. It brings so much joy when the mail-sack arrives, and the residents talk about them for such a long time".
Jenny Lloyd, EYFS Lead, Heathlands C of E Primary School, added: “Heathlands Primary School was delighted to take part in this project. Our Early Years classes enjoyed creating their handmade cards and thought carefully about a personalised message for each recipient. This project enabled our children to demonstrate our core value of ‘kindness’ to older members of the local community. We hope our cards spread some joy and happiness this Christmas.”
Page last reviewed: 14 December 2022