9th May 2024
The Trust’s Kindness Post Box initiative has been rolled out across primary school and nursing homes in the Armagh area.
A community focussed venture, across generations, the idea is for school children to write a cheerful letter, draw a picture or card and then post it into a specially created post box.
Pupils from St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School with their cards.
Over 200 letters and cards have been created by primary school pupils for residents of local nursing homes. The mail is distributed to those who may be separated from family and friends to give them a little something to smile about.
The initiative is coordinated through the ABC Loneliness Network, a range of organisations working together to provide a co-ordinated and consistent approach to preventing and addressing loneliness across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Collegelands Nursing Home, one of the homes taking part, took the project one step further by providing thank you cards for the children in St Oliver Plunkett’s, the school they had been matched with.
Chair of the ABC Loneliness Network Tracey Powell said:
“The kindness post box project is a great way of connecting generations. Initiatives like this keep our older people included in society and provide young people with the opportunity to connect with them and build on intergenerational relationships.”
Residents in Collegelands Nursing Home
The Activity Coordinator in Collegelands Nursing home added:
“Here in Collegelands Nursing home, we endeavour to bring the outside world into our home for our residents and this is made possible through these links.”
Principal of St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School Mr Galvin said:
“Everyone at St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Ballyhegan are delighted to have been able to take part in the Kindness Post Box initiative for our second year running now. It is a fabulous opportunity for us to connect the boys and girls with local care home facilities to let the residents know that we are thinking of them at various times throughout the year.”
A resident from Collegelands Nursing Home with the card she received
Gerard Rocks, Assistant Director for Promoting Wellbeing in the Southern Trust explained:
“The aim of the ABC Loneliness Network is to raise awareness of the public health impact of loneliness and to improve the lives of people in our communities who are experiencing loneliness.”
“Loneliness affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds and staying connected with others is essential to physical and mental wellbeing.”
If you would like to get involved in the Kindness Post Box initiative, please contact tina.ryan@southerntrust.hscni.net or telephone 028 375 64487.