Aged care residents find friendship with pen and paper

Bolton Clarke Charlesbrook aged care residents are putting pen to paper to make new friendships across the border.

The tradition started with resident Malcolm and has now become a ritual for five other residents.

Kerrie, a northern NSW resident, started writing to Malcolm as part of a local charity group before his move to Charlesbrook and the friendship has continued three years on.

“Kerrie talks about lots of different things, about her animals – she is looking after a couple of cats and lives near a bird sanctuary that she volunteers at,” Malcolm said.

“I really enjoy movies so we will often discuss the latest movies we have seen too. I have just finished Gotti, which is a crime drama from 1996.”

Charlesbrook Lifestyle Coordinator Annette says receiving an old-fashioned letter in the mail has been a really enjoyable experience for the residents.

“We are loving receiving the letters, it puts a smile on the residents’ faces as they are reading the interesting things about their new friend,” Annette said.

“Malcolm always takes the time to sit down and write back to Kerrie when he receives her letters, and there is another resident Ian who emails instead.”

For Kerrie, the opportunity to expand her writing group has been a rewarding experience to meet more residents and learn about their lives. 

“It’s wonderful to be able to have the opportunity to write to Malcolm and receive his letters in return – it’s been about three and a half years now,” Kerrie said.

“Now that I’m writing to more residents at the home, it has become even better to connect with more people.

“Connection and communication are very important, it’s what makes us human and I’m hoping that this small act puts a little bit of sunshine into their day.”