Lane Cove Locals Can Get Involved in The Letterbox Project and Help Make Connections

    By
    Jacky Barker
    -

    The Letterbox Project is a national pen pal program fostering connection and community, with handwritten letters being sent across Australia to people feeling isolated and disconnected.   The project is co-ordinated by ConnectedAu.

    How often do we feel genuine surprises anymore?! The Letterbox Project is only one small part of the ConnectedAu community, but it has a monumental impact in every way.

    Former lawyer, Mea Campbell, started ConnectedAu after her late grandfather, Colin was in aged care.  She knew her grandfather had visitors but wondered about the other residents who did not have family and friends and how lonely they must feel.

    How does it work?

    People from all walks of life join the Letterbox Project! From aged care and disability homes to homelessness services, village hubs, schools, corporations, and individuals and families.

    People want to find connections, and people want to offer connections.

    When you join, you will be matched with a tailored pen pal and given their description.

    Example

    “Edward lives in an aged care facility in QLD. He said, “I do enjoy it here; everyone is so nice and helpful. I am so lucky to have such a nice place to live. I do. miss friendship, though, I suppose. Everyone important in my life has passed away. I have outlived them all. I would like a pen pal for a bit of interest, to feel connected and excited. To listen and also to share my knowledge. I worked on the railroad and enjoyed sailing yachts.’

    You write your letter to Edward and then post it to ConnectedAu team. They approve the letter and send it on to him.

    He writes his reply, and sends it back to their team. This continues indefinitely, and it ensures that everyone can find real, tangible, connections.

    How Can Lane Cove Residents Get Involved?

    On Monday, 13 April 2023, the ConnectedAu Team will be launching the Letterbox Project in Lane Cove.

    You can join in the project and help someone feel less isolated on the lead up to Christmas.

    Lane Covians will be able to write and send Christmas cards to vulnerable community members, including aged care residents and people with disabilities.

    ConnectedAu is encouraging the community to give back in the lead-up to Christmas and foster some true Christmas spirit.

    The Letterbox Project is also aimed at normalising loneliness and championing the importance of connection.

    There will be a QR code for people to scan to learn all about loneliness and find some ways they can connect.

    The Letterbox Project is the only national program with management and safety embedded. ConnectedAu does not share any identifiable information, and our team vets all letters.
    So you can find a beautiful connection while knowing you are safe.
    One of the beautiful elements of this program is that letters are a practice in slow form connection.

    More Details

    More about The Letterbox Project can be found here:

    Instagram: connected_au/
    Facebook:  connectedau/
    Email:  [email protected]

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