Calling all creatives for animal-themed Cards for Kindness campaign

Lancashire residents are being urged to create as many animal-themed Christmas cards as they'd like, to be given to care homes to bring a festive cheer to residents.

The 'Cards for Kindness' project was originally set up in summer 2018 and has since grown across Lancashire and South Cumbria, with almost 200 care homes in these areas now participating.

Loneliness is a growing problem among older people, and in care homes, it can be a particularly difficult issue to resolve. These homemade cards, which will bring a smile to recipients' faces and prompt conversations, can be dropped off at libraries or you can check here for your nearest participating care home directly LSC Integrated Care Board :: Cards for Kindness (icb.nhs.uk)

Schools, libraries, Scouts and Guides and local arts and crafts groups have thrown their support behind the scheme in recent years, creating amazing cards that have been a talking point for care home residents – and we'd love others to join in, too.

This year, the theme is animals – as studies show that being around pets can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Having a pet at home can also help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation too. However, if you’d prefer to draw a festive animal, such as a reindeer, or an arctic fox, we welcome all animal designs, as well as traditional ones.

Our lead image for the campaign this year is a festive llama, to celebrate an unusual example of animal therapy at one of Lancashire's care homes....

Examples of animal therapy

Sherwood Lodge have some very unique, furry friends - alpacas named Casper and Paddington. They visited Sherwood Lodge in February for the second time to see the residents. Just look at the absolute joy they put on this resident's face! The manager said that the residents were over the moon to be able to stroke, hug, and interact with the lovely alpacas.

Meet Belle! This beautiful girl lives at Margaret House in the east of the county. Don’t be fooled by her size she is very soft and loving! Belle belongs to the home’s registered manager and she comes to the home every day. She has completed her formal training to become a therapy dog and is a very well-behaved pooch!

If you'd like to get involved but aren't very arty, we welcome all cards including ones that have been bought, or you can send an e-card, as long as they include a cheerful message.

County Councillor Joan Burrows, champion for older people, said: "The Cards for Kindness scheme is always so popular with residents at our care homes across Lancashire. It's always lovely to receive a card through the post and this often sparks conversation and encourages residents to talk to each other. Research shows this has many health benefits, especially for people living with dementia.

"This year, we chose animals as we find that they have a real therapeutic benefit for many of our residents – and so many of us really do love to own a pet or see animals.

"We encourage our care home staff to bring their pets in, where this is safe – and Sherwood Lodge have some very unique, furry friends - alpacas named Casper and Paddington.

"We also use robotic pets to provide residents with therapeutic benefits. In 2019, 10 robo-cats and 10 robo-dogs were given to 20 of our care homes after an appeal by Lancashire County Council and Lancashire 50+ Assembly, which raised more than £1,800.

"Robotic pets behave like normal cats and dogs, the dogs bark and wag their tail, the cats meow and perform actions like washing their face. Research has shown that they can help tackle loneliness and isolation and are the perfect companions for people with dementia.

"We'd love for as many people as possible to get involved and we are really looking forward to seeing your artistic talents."

Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “The Cards for Kindness initiative is a very simple idea but it can have a big impact on those receiving a card.

“If you can take a few minutes out of your day to create a card, please do – the cards are always appreciated and the positive messages usually get shared around the care homes.

“It’s a great way to spread some festive cheer and it helps people living in our local care homes feel more connected, which is always important – especially at a time of year where they might feel a little isolated.”

This year, Lancashire libraries will be hosting sessions creating animal themed Cards For Kindness cards – and visitors may also get the chance to meet some of the robo-pets.

Libraries which are running events will add them to the events page, LCC Events (lancashire.gov.uk) so you can check here if your nearest library is running one.

Lancashire Adult Learning, who are one of the partner organisations for Cards for Kindness, will also be holding sessions in libraries: see www.lal.ac.uk/courses-at-local-libraries

They will be partnering with some of the care homes and local Primary Schools to deliver intergenerational card-making sessions, in the run up to Christmas.

Members of the LAL team will also be running Cards for Kindness sessions at the annual Nelson & Colne College Group Festive Market on Saturday, 25 November from 10am-2pm.

You can book your place here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/nelson-and-colne-collegegroup/t-moqqvxd

You can drop off your cards off anytime between now and Christmas.

We'd love to see your Cards for Kindness creations so we can use them in the media and on social media to help promote the scheme. If you're happy to share these, please send them to CardsforKindness@lancashire.gov.uk stating you are happy for us to share your image.