Young pen pals are being sought to write to residents living in a Kent retirement complex.

Property developer Lifestory has launched a campaign called Stronger Together to help ensure pensioners living in apartments at its Sevenoaks base Wildernesse House aren't isolated as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

With most face to face contact restricted as part of the government's social-distancing guidelines, and many residents unable to receive visits from family and friends, those behind the initiative are hoping to help generations in the town build brides and maintain contact in other ways.

School aged children are being encouraged to write pen pal style letters to send to residents, sharing stories and drawings on everything from their family and school memories to favourite books, films or sport.

The initiative will see the letters then shared with those at Wildernesse House, for them to then reply to, sharing their own experiences.

Steve Bangs, managing director for Lifestory London & South East, said: “Social distancing measures and difficulty of accessing family and friends mean that our owners, many of whom usually play a really active day to day role in our communities, are staying in their homes.

"By launching our own intergenerational campaign, Stronger Together, we are providing a platform given the current health climate, to encourage younger people to get more involved with older generations.

“Writing letters, drawing pictures and sharing stories not only helps build relationships and break down generational barriers but also ticks a box from a home-schooling perspective. Loneliness is already at epidemic levels among older people in England. We believe Stronger Together provides a great community platform to help ease the loneliness and isolation that people, of all ages will inevitably feel at this time."

When pupils resume home schooling after the Easter break, those at Lifestory behind the push for penpals will be contacting schools close to Wildernesse House in Wildernesse Avenue, to see if they can encourage participants through their communication with parents.

But the developer says it would equally be delighted to hear from any other families wishing to take part in the initiative.

To get involved, families are initially asked to type, or take a picture of their child's letter or drawing and email it to strongertogether@lifestory.group

For more family-related news and events, including things to enjoy with the children over the Easter break, visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk

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