Cards for Kindness

The Cards for Kindness project was originally set up in summer 2018 and has since grown and developed across Healthier Lancashire & South Cumbria with more local organisations lending their support and almost 200 care homes now participating. 

Loneliness is a growing problem among older people, and in care homes it can be a particularly difficult issue to resolve. Figures from Age UK show that 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with friends or family for a month, and 60% of people in care homes get no visitors at all.

We encourage people to send post cards in the summer, and Christmas cards in the run up to the festive holidays in winter. There are more than 13,600 people in care homes across Lancashire, South Cumbria, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool and reducing loneliness is a crucial part of improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

It's always lovely to receive a card through the post and this often sparks conversation and encourages residents to talk to each other. Research shows this has many health benefits, especially for people living with dementia. 

If your care home would like to be involved, please contact us. 

How you can help

It’s easy to get involved and ten minutes of your time could really make a difference to local care home residents.

Are you going on holiday, planning a staycation or simply visiting a local beauty spot?

To send a postcard all you need to do is write one, attach a stamp and pick a local care home or day centre to send it to. Address the card to residents and staff and add a personal message inside. You will find the addresses of the care homes taking part in the drop-down menus on this page.

As Christmas approaches, will you be sending festive cards?

During December, we encourage people to send Christmas cards instead of post cards to residents in local care homes and day centres.

People are asked to include a message alongside their greetings. The idea is that reading the card helps to start conversations and bring back happy memories.

You can find your local care home in the dropdown lists on this page.

You can also send a card using our e-card system where you choose your design, complete your details and select the home from the drop-down list, and your card is then sent onto that home. Create your e-card here: Acts of Kindness eCards - Section 1 - Online Forms (achieveservice.com)

Can your school help tackle loneliness in our care homes?

We welcome schools to get involved with our Cards for Kindness campaign too.

This is a chance for pupils to use their artistic skills to help others in the community. There is a serious side too as campaigns like this help to tackle loneliness, which can have the same effect on people's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

We'd love to see your Cards for Kindness creations so we can use them in the media and on social media to help promote the scheme. If you're happy to share photos, please send them to CardsforKindness@lancashire.gov.uk stating you are happy for us to share your image.

We have designed some cards which you can download and print at home.

Support is available if you are struggling with your mental health

To support local people we have listed some of the mental health support resources available across Lancashire and South Cumbria on this page. You will also find a link to an interactive map detailing even more support services dealing with issues including debt, addiction, homelessness, mental health and children and young people. 

Use the drop-down boxes below to find your local care home

Is it safe to send things in the post during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Currently, there is no evidence that the virus can live on paper and it is non-viable on surfaces after 72 hours. 

We have advised care homes that they may wish to quarantine post for 72 hours before opening. 

As always, it's really important to practice good hand hygiene. You can find out more information about washing your hands, keeping safe and further information about COVID-19 on the NHS website or the GOV UK website.

Help spread the word

Download our campaign materials to use on your website or social media accounts. You may also wish to print one of our campaign posters and display in your workplace or local community venue. 

Summer poster

Festive poster 1

Festive poster 2

Festive poster 3

Festive poster 4

Festive poster 5

Join the conversation on social media using #CardsForKindness