An Atherton care home is helping to combat loneliness and isolation by reaching out via Facebook group ‘Postcards of Kindness’.

The Chanters Care Home, in Tyldsley Old Road, has been purpose-built to provide specialist elderly and dementia care, as well as looking after residents with learning disabilities.

Activities Co-Ordinator Lyndsey McBride joined the Facebook group, which is now connected to over 150 care homes in the UK, to help with reminiscence activities within the home.
Lyndsey said: “In a very short space of time, we have received more than 50 postcards, mostly from the UK but we have recently received postcards from as far afield as India and Taiwan.

“We put posters in the home to encourage visitors to the home to send postcards. We have used maps and postcards on the wall to see how far our appeal has spread.”

Anne Hargreaves, Manager of The Chanters Care Home in Atherton, Greater Manchester, said: “It is heart-warming that complete strangers take the time to find beautiful postcards, write and send them to us.

“It’s really beneficial for our residents, especially those living with dementia, to reflect on past experiences and share memories.

“We’re really proud to be part of the community in Atherton. Any help in achieving our project, would be greatly appreciated. Our residents will love seeing all the different places people are travelling to this year. So, if you have a spare few minutes, please do send us a postcard. If you’d prefer, bring it in yourself, we’ll be delighted to welcome you for a cup of tea.”

Sybil Downham, 92, a resident at The Chanters, said: “Everybody used to send postcards. Once upon a time, no holiday was complete without a search for stamps or a long wait in a post office. Nowadays, mobile phones have overshadowed the humble postcard, which is a real shame.”

The Chanters have created a special ‘The Chanters’ postcard to reply to the cards received. It was designed using a photograph of the outside of home, in its summer glory, including flowers in bloom.

Cards can be posted directly to The Chanters, Tyldsley Old Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester, M46 9AF.

The Chanters care home forms part of Larchwood Care and is managed by Healthcare Management Solutions.

www.larchwoodcare.co.uk