Residents at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull and Surbiton are asking children to send in letters now that schools have closed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Letters with Love appeal also includes requests for cards and drawings from young people, with veterans saying it “brightens up our days”
It comes after Royal Star & Garter began limiting visitors to its three Homes, pausing visits from outside entertainers and family members as part of its infection management protocol. The charity provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.
Letters with Love coincided with National Intergenerational Week, running from 23-29 March, which is celebrating those moments and places where different age groups come together for shared benefit. Royal Star & Garter is sharing letters and artwork on social media, using the hashtag #LetterswithLove
Residents say they love receiving handwritten letters, cards and drawings. One said: “It means so much when we receive letters from children. And some of the drawings they send are so good. It’s lovely to know what they’re getting up to and that they’re thinking of us oldies! They really brighten up our days.”
One suggestion is for pupils to send in drawings of rainbows. This follows a national campaign which has seen creative and elaborate drawings of rainbows placed in windows up and down the country, to help spread hope amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Dedicated staff members from Royal Star & Garter’s Homes are continuing to provide exceptional person-centred care despite the challenges faced with the coronavirus outbreak. This includes the continuation of entertainment activities within the Homes and keeping residents in contact with family via FaceTime and Skype.
Letters, cards and drawings can be uploaded directly to www.starandgarter.org/letterswithlove. They can also be emailed to solihull.enquiries@starandgarter.org or surbiton.enquiries@starandgarter.org.
Alternatively, they can be sent to the Solihull and Surbiton Homes directly: Cheryl Harbourne, Royal Star & Garter, Tudor Coppice, Solihull, B91 3DE, or: Helena Maher, Royal Star & Garter, Upper Brighton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6JY.
