A new Burnham-On-Sea community group that aims to tackle loneliness and isolation among local care home residents has launched this week.
Called Women Who Write, the new project has been started in Burnham-On-Sea where a small group of volunteers of all ages are writing letters and postcards to be delivered to those who may feel lonely or isolated.
“Our aim is to reach out to those who are isolated for whatever reason – receiving a postcard, note or letter really can make a big difference to their day,” explains Helen Brodie, who is overseeing the new group.
Frith House Care Home in Burnham-On-Sea hosted the official launch for the group on Thursday (August 1st), supported by Deputy Mayor Bill Hancock, Mayoress Frances Hancock and Town Crier Alastair Murray, as pictured here.
“At the moment we are writing to people in local care homes and a couple of local people who are housebound too.”
“It was inspired by a lunchtime discussion at St Andrew’s Church about reaching out to others who may be socially isolated.”
“This is aimed at engaging with people who may be living with dementia or those who would appreciate a good old-fashioned, hand-written letter.”
“It could be to somebody who needs cheering up, who maybe does not get many visitors, or just for the staff to read to them to give them something to talk about.”
“We realised there is an opportunity to make a difference locally with residents in Burnham care homes who unfortunately do not all have regular contact with people from outside the home.”
“Often the only mail they receive is brown envelopes or medical appointments. We thought that it would be nice for them to receive a good old fashioned hand written letter or card in the post.”
“Our volunteer writers choose the type of correspondence they feel most comfortable with. One who travels a lot picks up postcards and writes about her travels. Another has begun writing poetry and, as well as an individually written poem, the recipients also get a scented napkin in with it.”
“We also have one volunteer who targets her postcards to those living with dementia. But most of our ladies just write about what they have been up to that day. Create You, a local art group, have also been making some lovely cards and art work for us to write on.”
Over the last month the group has reached out to The Towans, Frith House and Priory Court Care and Nursing Home, who have all welcomed them.
They have used the correspondence in a number of ways. Some are given out and read aloud as a group activity, others have been shared on a one-to-one basis with individuals.
Volunteer writer Helen said: “The initial feedback on our trials over the last few weeks has been very good. The Towans contacted us to say ‘One of our residents, who has dementia, had such a lovely smile after receiving one of the cards. She was so contented and pleased while I read out the message to her and we looked and chatted about the picture on the postcard.'”
Julie, a Women Who Write volunteer, adds: “I was so invigorated and moved. It was lovely to be able to share some the cards directly with the residents, I was humbled to see how my writing reached out to and touched Maureen when I read her one of my poems.”
The new group is open to male and female writers. “If you would like to join us as a writer we would love to hear from you. you do not need to be William Shakespeare or Jane Ayre to join us. A little note about what you have been up to during your daily routine would be a welcome diversion.”
“If you are local you can drop your cards, letters and postcards in to us at St Andrew’s Church and we will arrange distribution.”
“Just start you correspondence with an ‘Hello’ or ‘Dear Reader’ and leave a couple of inches space at the bottom of the correspondence so we can add our stickers with return address after your name / initials.”
“Or if you live further away and cannot get to the church you can send correspondence via The Vicarage, 38 Rectory Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2BZ. If you do not wish to write but would like to contribute some postcards, notelets etc. they can again be dropped in to the church or posted to The Vicarage marked (contribution). For those on Facebook please find us at Women Who Write BoS.”
