Poulton nursing home asks for letters and emails to cheer up elderly residents

A Poulton nursing home is encouraging members of the public to write letters, emails and draw pictures for its elderly residents during the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 1st Apr 2020, 06:00 BST
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Alexandra Care Home on Moorland Road, Poulton, currently has 97 residents under lockdown due to Covid-19, with residents no longer able to see their families or visitors.

After a Facebook appeal two weeks ago for letters, emails and pictures, staff at the home said residents were "overjoyed" to receive communications from the public.

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The home has three separate units, the main house, Brooklands dementia unit and Brambles EMI unit, and communal areas have now been decorated with letters and pictures from the public.

Alexandra Care Home are welcoming letters, emails and pictures from the public. Residents L-R: Rona Chamberlain, 89, Ruby Parr, 95, Esme Sealby, 93, Patricia Bamber, 88, Kenneth Farrington, 79, and Mavis Ringe, 82. Staff L-R: Josh Jones, carer, Michelle Dicks, manager, Jodie Barnes, carer, Lorrine Johnstone, carer and Marion Armer, nurse.Alexandra Care Home are welcoming letters, emails and pictures from the public. Residents L-R: Rona Chamberlain, 89, Ruby Parr, 95, Esme Sealby, 93, Patricia Bamber, 88, Kenneth Farrington, 79, and Mavis Ringe, 82. Staff L-R: Josh Jones, carer, Michelle Dicks, manager, Jodie Barnes, carer, Lorrine Johnstone, carer and Marion Armer, nurse.
Alexandra Care Home are welcoming letters, emails and pictures from the public. Residents L-R: Rona Chamberlain, 89, Ruby Parr, 95, Esme Sealby, 93, Patricia Bamber, 88, Kenneth Farrington, 79, and Mavis Ringe, 82. Staff L-R: Josh Jones, carer, Michelle Dicks, manager, Jodie Barnes, carer, Lorrine Johnstone, carer and Marion Armer, nurse.

Charlotte Liptrot, activities co-ordinator for Brambles, said: "I create activities for residents with mental health issues, brain injury traumas, or advanced dementia.

"Everyone knows what is happening with coronavirus but it's still a very confusing time for many of our residents.

"They can no longer have visits from friends or family, and a lot of them are bored without that interaction from other people.

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"I think some of the residents are worried they will be forgotten about, and they love receiving pictures and letters, especially from children."

Patricia Bamber with a letter from a member of the public.Patricia Bamber with a letter from a member of the public.
Patricia Bamber with a letter from a member of the public.

After a Facebook appeal by home manager Michelle Dicks, residents began receiving letters and emailed pictures from schoolchildren and other members of the public with stories to tell.

Michelle said: "Our post was shared over 200 times on Facebook and the response has been incredible, so we want to keep that going.

"We're hoping that from this crisis we can do some good, and build up some long-standing pen friend relationships and start hosting afternoon teas for everyone when we re-open to visitors.

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"The residents here have so many stories to tell, and those in our main house have been responding to letters and emails themselves, so we would love for everyone to keep sending them in and put a smile on everyone's faces."

Letters can be sent to:

Alexandra Care Home

Moorland Road

Poulton-le-Fylde

FY6 7EU

Emails can be sent to:

[email protected]

Related topics:PoultonCovid-19Facebook