People still have a bit of time left to help a Huddersfield charity send cards and letters to elderly or lonely people.

Huddersfield letter writing organisation Give…A Few Words posts uplifting letters, arts and crafts out all year and its Christmas campaign is now its fifth year.

They need people to write cards and letters and Give…A Few Words will make sure they get to people who would love to receive them. Ideally they should be written by Wednesday, December 4.

Founder Sharron Wilkinson said: “Christmas can be a really difficult time for many people. While many are enjoying the festivities, others are alone or may be having a difficult time.

“Receiving a personalised gift of letters from others is extremely impactful. It helps people feel connected and reminds them they are not alone and others are thinking about them.

“From a writing perspective too, spending time thinking and writing or crafting about positive and uplifting topics is really good for wellbeing.

“Our volunteer team continues to grow as hundreds of people support us from all over the UK and Europe, including Paris, Germany, Switzerland and the Outer Hebrides and then further afield in Mexico, the USA and Australia, all writing for people in the Kirklees area.

“Not just individuals but families, schools, colleges, universities, Rotary and writing clubs. We have businesses from all over the UK and whole communities getting behind this which is incredible and extremely heart-warming. People who receive our letters are astounded that a stranger has taken the time out of their busy lives to write to them.”

 

 

Ideal subjects to write about include: Fox’s Biscuits, Huddersfield town centre, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool FC, Leeds United, Bradford City, Firths Carpets, the ABC cinema in Huddersfield, Holmfirth floods in the 1940s, holidays to Blackpool and Cleethorpes, Elvis, astronomy, motorbikes, art, knitting and musicals.

People don’t have to just write – they can draw or do some crafts instead.

A recent letter recipient revealed the heartwarming impact it had: “Thank you so much for the lovely letters you all sent to my husband who has advanced Alzheimer’s. I sat by his bedside and read each letter out to him and they were so lovely. I shall be reading the letters lots of times and he has the lovely painting that he was sent up in his room too.”

Sharron added: “The letters spark up some fantastic conversations and memories and bring so many smiles with many saying it brings them happy tears and makes them feel emotional and cared for.

“We couldn’t do this without our volunteers who are quite simply incredible. They are the loveliest people who are so compassionate and kind and really go the extra mile to help others.”

Give…A Few Words now has a short video to showcase its work which has also been submitted for the national Smiley Charity Film Awards. Watch it at  https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/give-a-few-words

If anyone is interested and can help go to www.thegive.co.uk and Sharron will send the name of someone who needs a letter, card or drawing.

The letters and art can be dropped at the Hive café on John William Street, Tommy’s Lounge on Station Street near the railway station in Huddersfield town centre or at Oakes and at The Lawrence Batley Theatre Box Office which is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Alternatively post them to Give…A Few Words at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.