Whittlesea schoolchildren pen letters to isolated elderly residents
Schoolchildren in Melbourne’s north are making the most of extra holidays and penning letters to elderly residents forced into isolation.
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Children are writing letters to isolated elderly residents across Whittlesea in a bid to help them feel connected as the rest of the state goes into lockdown.
Whittlesea Council director of community services Belgin Besim said the initiative was part of the council’s intergenerational project.
“The need for many older people to be placed in isolation during this pandemic will, for some, exacerbate their sense of loneliness,” She said.
“We have contacted our local schools to see if they can arrange for students to write and draw letters for our older residents.
“The letters can come to council and we can facilitate where they need to be delivered.
“This might be nursing homes, but it will also include older people accessing our aged care services who live independently at home, often living alone.”
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Ms Besim said he drew inspiration from a televised social experiment where elderly residents in a retirement community would frequently interact with a group of four year olds.
“This is a way for our young generation to provide some positive support to our older residents during this time of social distancing.”
All letters can be sent to:
Aged and Disability Services
City of Whittlesea
Reply Paid 60758
Bundoora MDC 3083