Join our Pen pal Scheme

Created in Spring 2020 as a response to Covid -19, and the need to keep vulnerable, isolated and older people connected throughout the pandemic, we invited people, young and old to send us in happy post to pass on to our service users on the Good Neighbour Scheme. 

With vital befriending services for older people suspended due to social distancing, we have had to think of new ways to keep in touch. This could be with technology, telephone or letter. This is where the Pen Pal Scheme comes in. There are two elements to this scheme.

Write a letter.

There is nothing nicer than receiving a handwritten letter through the post. Simply write Hi or Hello, talk about yourself, your family, your job, your hobby, your hopes for the future. 

Send a postcard, drawing or painting  

Some of our service users are partially sighted and can't read handwritten letters without help.  Simply send a postcard, draw or paint a picture and add the simple message 'Thinking of you'  This will make their day! A few tips: Use bright contrasting colours, tactile materials and thick felt tip pens.  

This is Muriel, she received a beautiful handmade card by 7 year old Matilda, Muriel is partically sighted so was thrilled to see Matilda's drawings. They now write regularly to each other. Read their story in our summer newsletter. 

Know someone who could benefit from our scheme? 

If you know an older person who is feeling isolated, or lives alone and could do with some happy post, why not tell them about our scheme. They have an option to become pen pals with a volunteer, sending letters to each other on a regular basis, or they can just receive a letter, postcard or drawing to make them smile. The only criteria is that they must live in Sheffield and be over 65 years old. Please telephone the Good Neighbour Pen Pal Scheme and speak to Tammy Wilson on 0114 2505292  

Send your letters and cards to: 

SCCCC, Pen Pal Scheme, Unit 19 President Buildings, Savile Street East, SHEFFIELD, S4 7UQ 

Please don't put any sensitive information on the item (just your name) but if you'd like a reply (if possible) please pop a note in the envelope with your name and address.  We send each letter out with an SAE back to our office with a code on it, we can then forward on to the person who sent the original correspondence whilst protecting everyone's personal data.

Please note you may not receive a response from the older person but rest assured, your letter will be greatly received.  

Here are just a few of the beautiful cards, postcards and drawings we have received from the public. Keep sending them in.