How seven-year-old Sheffield pen-pal's letters brighten the life of lockdown OAP

Matilda Murray, from Broomhall, drew a picture on a card, which found its way to 90 year old Muriel, as part of Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care’s lockdown pen-pal scheme.

The initiative was launched in March to tackle loneliness among the charity’s service users, by asking people to send handwritten letters to help stave off feelings of isolation and loneliness during quarantine.

SCCCC now wants to cater for its visually impaired older people who may struggle to read letters, by asking people to send postcards, cards and pictures with a short message.

Matilda’s mum, Becky, said: “I saw the callout for letters or postcards on SCCCC’s social media pages, and suggested to Matilda that it would be a nice thing to do.

“Matilda so desperately wanted to make someone feel happy, and said it must be really hard if you live on your own and cannot get out of the house.

“She made a card and wrote ‘thinking of you’ inside.”

Becky sent the hand-drawn postcard to SCCCC, who distributed it to Muriel, who was so thankful that she wrote back to Matilda straight away.

Becky added: “Matilda received a lovely card from Muriel, and was absolutely thrilled to hear back from her.

“She is now writing back to Muriel. It would be lovely if they keep writing to each other – and maybe even meet one day.”

SCCCC was set up in 1966 by church members of all denominations from across Sheffield, but has today expanded to support older people of different faiths and secular groups from across the city.

It thrives on its strong community links and works alongside the council and NHS to achieve its mission of improving the wellbeing of older people in Sheffield.

To cheer up an older person during lockdown, please send any cards or postcards with the short message ‘thinking of you,’ to Pen pal Scheme, SCCCC Unit 19 President Buildings, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ.