CARE home residents are combating loneliness by asking people to send postcards to them - and some have arrived from India and Taiwan.
Activities co-ordinator of The Chanters Care Home in Atherton, Lyndsey McBride, joined the Facebook group Postcards of Kindness.
There are more than 150 care homes that are members of the group.
Resident Kathleen Alty with a postcard
Lyndsey said: “In a very short space of time we have now received more than 50 postcards, mostly from the UK.
"But we have recently received postcards from as far afield as India and Taiwan.
“We put posters in the home to encourage visitors to the home to send postcards.
"We have used maps and postcards on the wall to see how far our appeal has spread.”
The home looks after residents with dementia as well as people with learning difficulties.
The Chanters manager Anne Hargreaves said: “It is heart-warming that complete strangers take the time to find beautiful postcards, write and send them to us.
“It’s really beneficial for our residents, especially those living with dementia, to reflect on past experiences and share memories.
“We’re really proud to be part of the community in Atherton.
"Any help in achieving our project, would be greatly appreciated. Our residents will love seeing all the different places people are travelling to this year.
"If you’d prefer, bring it in yourself, we’ll be delighted to welcome you for a cup of tea.”
Resident Sybil Downham with a postcard
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Sybil Downham, 92, a resident at The Chanters, added: “Everybody used to send postcards.
"Once upon a time, no holiday was complete without a search for stamps or a long wait in a post office.
"Nowadays, mobile phones have overshadowed the humble postcard, which is a real shame.”
The Chanters have created a special "The Chanters" postcard to reply to the cards received.
It was designed using a photograph of the outside of home, in its summer glory, including flowers in bloom.
Cards can be posted directly to The Chanters, Tyldesley Old Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester, M46 9AF.
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