“Are you like me? You hear the sound of the letter box and you go to retrieve the mail, hoping there might be something more than the usual junk mail?”
Lockdown has increased loneliness. Two groups that we know have really been feeling the effects, are young people -- who can’t see their friends as easily -- and older people who are often isolated. With the end in sight, but still not quite here, TDC’s Ageing Well project and TDC’s Youth Team have recently got together to try and combat Lockdown’s isolation by creating an Intergenerational Penpals project.
Some of the young people that TDC are supporting are writing letters, producing artwork or sending cards to residents who live at Downlands Court, Peacehaven and Deans Wood, Woodingdean, as well as individuals who live in Woodingdean, East Brighton and Saltdean. They are looking forward to getting interesting replies from the people they are paired up with; discovering what they have in common and learning about each other’s lives.
The young and older people are exchanging communications over 6 weeks, building up a relationship. There are also be small craft tasks set by the project coordinator.
Once covid restrictions ease TDC is hoping to hold an event where all the penpals can meet safely.