Children from Holy Trinity Primary School in Cookstown have helped to write and deliver letters of support and kindness to residents of a local nursing home.
The pupils of the Co Tyrone school took part in the ‘Kindness Postbox’ initiative, initially set up in Co Fermanagh two years ago at the start of the pandemic.
The scheme matches schoolchildren with elderly people in care homes, allowing them to write messages of support and encouragement.
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The local initiative was coordinated by the Mid Ulster Lonelineness Network, Mid Ulster District Council and Dungannon and Coalisland Men’s Shed projects.
The specially designed postbox filled with messages and drawings was delivered to Fairfields Nursing Home, Cookstown.
Council Deputy Chair, councillor Christine McFlynn recently met some of the pupils and residents who participated in the project.
“The pandemic has only increased the loneliness and isolation some care home residents have been feeling, especially those who are separated from loved ones or who have no family or contacts,” Cllr McFlynn said.
“Small acts of kindness can often have big impacts, and staying connected with others is hugely beneficial for mental health and well-being, no matter whether you are nine or ninety.
“You can really see the positive impact of this project in the pupils from Holy Trinity who are so connected, and the residents from Fairfield’s who are so engaged.”
The original founder of the Kindness Postbox in Co Fermanagh, Nuala O’Toole, said she was proud to see the project spread across Northern Ireland.
“I have been working in partnership with Tracey Powell with a view to rolling out the Kindness Postbox further,” Nuala told MyTyrone.
“We supported Tracey and the organisation in getting their Postbox made, pairing up homes and schools with our resources, templates etc and they in turn forward the numbers back to us.
“Tracey then kindly invited us to the launch of the Kindness Postbox Cookstown which we were delighted to attend.
“It’s great to see all these other organisations coming together under our Project and making ripples in their own communities.”
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