On 11th December, Evelyn May House, part of the Runwood Homes Group, has initiated a heartwarming international pen pal exchange with a care home called Villa Valenica in California, USA, bringing festive cheer across the globe. In the spirit of Christmas, all the residents and staff at Evelyn May House signed a card to send to their new American friends. A special message from Sue, a resident at Evelyn May House, was included, expressing the home’s excitement to begin this cross-continental connection.
The idea for this exchange came about when Sarah, the daughter of one of the residents, mentioned she lived in California. During a conversation, Sarah’s visits sparked the idea of sharing the British Christmas spirit with residents in America. To accompany the card, the team at Evelyn May House sent old-fashioned sweets, English flags, and a wartime memorabilia, all designed to help inspire reminiscence and connect the residents with memories of England. Going forward, the Lifestyle Team at Evelyn May House, led by Dawn and Kyra, are eager to continue the pen pal relationship. They hope to arrange virtual activities, such as sing-alongs, quizzes, and even virtual tours, where the two homes can interact through Zoom. Sue, a resident at Evelyn May House, shared her joy about the connection: “We would love to start a lovely connection with everyone in your home and see you all on Zoom in the near future, either for a chat or a sing-song. Best wishes from Everyone at Evelyn May House.”
The Basildon care home, which is home to 59 residents, is known for providing high-quality, compassionate care in a safe and welcoming environment. The home’s manager, Joanna Robbin-Coker, ensures everything runs smoothly, maintaining the care standards that make Evelyn May a comfortable place for residents and their families.
This international gesture reflects the home’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections, not only within the community but across the borders, spreading festive cheer and forging bonds that transcend distance. Kieun Kwon, Associate Director of Wellbeing and Dementia, expressed her excitement for this new festive activity within the care home, stating: “All residents and staff are excited about this unique starting point of a pen pal relationship with a Christmas card!” Evelyn May looks forward to deepening this special relationship and celebrating future occasions with their new friends in California.
For more information about the wonderful activities at Evelyn May House, please visit their Facebook page: Evelyn May House – Care Homes UK | Dementia, Residential & Nursing Care | Runwood Homes
