ELDERLY residents in Wokingham have been busy writing back or sending artwork to their new pen-pals - school-aged children across the nation.

Renaissance Retirement's Fleur-De-Lis apartments in Wiltshire Road, Wokingham, were flooded last week with letters and drawings from children hoping to keep the elderly residents company.

This comes after the government's lockdown rules during the coronavirus pandemic making it much harder for vulnerable people in the community, especially the elderly, to keep in touch with the outside world.

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The campaign organising the pen-pal style letters, Stronger Together, has meant that home owners have been sending the children tales of their lives, drawings, even messages as simple as how they are passing the time in lockdown.

Lifestory CEO Mark Dickinson said: “We have received some fantastic letters, stories and drawings that are really imaginative, colourful and thoughtful.

"We would like to thank all those who have got involved so far to spread some welcomed joy to our owners at this time of uncertainty.

"With lockdown for the older generations set to continue for a longer period of time, we continue to encourage others to take part and get writing, drawing and sharing to create some really positive communication between the generations.

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"Alone we are strong, together we are stronger’, is a core message that sits behind the Stronger Together campaign.

"Social distancing measures and the 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 so the wonderful creations we have been receiving and sharing are set to brighten spirits."