Sheffield Cubs and care home residents are pen pals

Members of Sheffield’s Fulwood Scout Group have been writing to those living at The Laurels and The Limes Care Home, on Manchester Road, Ranmoor.

Fulwood group Scout leader Keith Pitchforth got in touch with the home after the launch of Care for Care Homes by the Scout Association.

The initiative aims to reduce loneliness and help improve the wellbeing of people in care homes through various acts of kindness.

Some of the group’s Cub Scouts were challenged to create rainbow pictures and to write letters to residents at the home about what they have been doing during the lockdown.

Craig White, The Laurels and The Limes home manager, said: “It was so kind of the Fulwood Scout Group to think of our residents for their Care for Care Homes initiative.

“The residents have absolutely loved receiving letters from the Cubs and have gladly responded with their own rainbow cards and letters.

“We hope to be able to continue the pen pal friendships the residents and Cubs have struck up in future.”

Mr Pitchforth said: “I am extremely proud of all of our young people and volunteers.

“Throughout the lockdown, meeting the challenges of school at home, working from home and caring for family members, they have continued to show all of the values that Scouting promotes and, in the case of caring for care homes, thought about people who are separated from their families.”

One Cub wrote: “I made this rainbow for you out of fruit and veg to remind you that things will get better soon.”

Resident Joyce Keen wrote to the Cubs saying: “Thank you for your letter and telling me about your birthday.

"My next birthday will come in September, when I shall be 95, so I have many memories.

"At the present time I am watching snooker. I cannot play but I do enjoy watching and sometimes see them making mistakes and I can say ‘you silly man’. Good job they cannot hear me.”