Unique Christmas cards bring joy to hundreds of care home residents

Creative residents were asked to make animal-themed cards this year, and thousands have been delivered to homes already this month across Lancashire and South Cumbria, with almost 200 care homes in these areas now participating.

Brittanie Sillery, deputy manager of Park Grove in Burscough Care Home, revealed that they were given cards that all feature animals, in particular dogs and cats. 

She said: "Our residents were delighted to be given cards with animals on this year from the Cards for Kindness scheme.

"They are addressed, 'dear friend' and have sweet handwritten messages inside. We have ours dotted around the home for all of our residents to read and they have been very happy to see them. 

"They have brought smiles to our residents' faces and have spread a little extra festive cheer."

Cards for Kindness aims to spread happiness to anyone who could use an emotional boost, cheer, or a reminder of how loved they are.

Residents at The Laurels Residential Home, had their cards created and hand-delivered by youngsters from Upperby Primary School on December 19.

One resident, Audrey, was moved to tears by her homemade card, which featured a robin.

The home also had an extra-large card sent to the residents by pupils at Houghton School, which featured a series of Christmas drawings and a letter with conversation-starting questions and heartfelt messages for residents.

One resident, Sheila, thanked the children when they visited. She said: "Seeing the children and receiving the cards was absolutely beautiful, thank you so much to them for coming."

Manager Shirleyann Tingey added: "We received Cards for Kindness from pupils at Upperby Primary  School who came to visit our residents at the home. It was so nice that the children made and delivered homemade cards to our residents. The school is a couple of miles away so it's not like they are on our doorstep, they make a real effort to come.

"One of our residents, Audrey, was so happy that she shed tears of joy for how thoughtful the children had been.

"It is so nice to have children come to see our residents and they really get so much from the visits.

"We also had 30 youngsters from Robert Ferguson School come to see us for a Carol Service and moving forward, next year, both schools are coming to visit on a regular bases for a chat.

"One resident's memory was stimulated so much, that she had a chat about her sister attending the school and where they resided as children. The lady, Hazel, had never shared this story with our staff before so we thought this was lovely."

The 'Cards for Kindness' project was originally set up in summer 2018 in a bid to tackle loneliness as a way of bringing cheer to recipients and prompting conversations.

This year, the theme is animals – as studies show that being around pets can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Our lead image for the campaign this year is a festive llama, to celebrate an unusual example of animal therapy, when Casper and Paddington visited one of Lancashire's care homes, Sherwood Lodge and residents were able to stroke, hug, and interact with them.

Find out more about Cards for Kindness at LSC Integrated Care Board :: Cards for Kindness (icb.nhs.uk)