Messages of hope to combat loneliness

Kind-hearted children from Coleham Primary School in Shrewsbury have been writing messages as part of an initiative with the town's Morrisons store in Harlescott.

The supermarket gave out post cards to children at Coleham and other schools in the town to colour in and write messages to friends and family they have missed seeing, and to elderly people in care homes to combat loneliness and cheer them up.

An additional motivation was to help children with literacy work.

Carla Taylor, community champion at Morrisons, is looking forward to collecting some of the cards to take to care homes in Shrewsbury. She said: "It was a chance for children to send a message to someone they haven't seen for a while and say I hope to see you soon."

Nationally, the store is giving away half a million postcards for children to spread messages of hope to tackle loneliness.

According to recent data from the Office of National Statistics, nearly half (47 per cent) of adults in England reported that their wellbeing had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Further research by Morrisons has revealed that 46 percent of Brits are feeling more isolated and alone than they normally would. Two thirds (67 per cent) said a simple act of kindness could help them feel reconnected with their community and three quarters (77 per cent) said it would positively change their entire outlook for the day.

David Potts, CEO of Morrisons, said: “Although lockdown is easing across the UK we know that many people in the community are still shielding and therefore unable to meet up with family and friends. Customers write to me weekly to let me know that Morrisons Doorstep Delivery service has been a lifeline to them and express their gratitude and we wanted to let them know we will continue to be here for them. We hope these messages will put a smile on people’s faces up and down the country.”