IT’S a simple concept which is making a huge difference to the lives of the elderly in care.

Postcards of Kindness was launched last year by Your Health Limited in England, on a small scale and with a limited target audience, but with a clear goal in mind.

The scheme has now expanded nationwide and a Helensburgh care home has just signed up, along with more than 900 others across the UK.

The idea is for members of the public to take a moment out of their travels and send a postcard to a random care home, with some kind words, funny anecdotes and holiday memories brightening up a resident’s day.

By writing postcards and connecting lives, the appeal aims to combat loneliness and isolation and remind care home residents that there is always someone thinking of them.

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Almost 28,000 people have since joined a Facebook group dedicated to the scheme which lists all the homes taking part and allows users to share their stories and see the impact these small acts of kindness are making.

After getting involved only two weeks ago, the Argyle Care Centre in West Argyle Street, Helensburgh, has been inundated with friendly mail and the home’s manager, Michelle Carr, says residents have been overjoyed at the response.

“It has been absolutely amazing,” Michelle said, “within a couple of days we were getting bundles and bundles of postcards and the residents have reacted so positively to it.

“We’ve had some through from Texas in the USA and from England; people have been sending cards from all over the world.

“It sparks conversation between the residents about days gone by because some of the postcards come from places where they’ve been and they can remember their own trips there and talk about their memories.

“They’ve loved writing back as well and replying to the postcards gives them another activity to do.

“Never in a million years did we expect it to have such an impact on our lovely residents.”

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The Argyle Care Centre and Northwood House in Sinclair Street are, so far, the only homes registered to the appeal in Helensburgh, and indeed Argyll and Bute.

However, it is gaining in popularity and Michelle says it has become a highlight of many residents’ day when the post is delivered.

She said: “It’s such a nice idea and they love it.

“Every morning the most frequently asked questions are “Were there any cards this morning?” or “Has the postman been yet?”

“The biggest thing they are getting from it is the conversation starters.

“Getting postcards from places like Butlins, they can say “I took my children to Butlins when they were little,” and it just gets them talking.”

Signing up to the appeal has also brought some unexpected happiness to one of the home’s most senior residents.

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Michelle added: “We have a lady, Dorothy, turning 102 on September 30, who has no family or friends left, so I put out an appeal in the Facebook group and we’ve had hundreds of postcards for her already, she is overwhelmed.

“She is obviously very frail at that age so we’ve started reading a few to her every day and she is so touched by them.

“Cards have been sent from Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Italy and England.

“She is a very special lady and we have been blown away with people’s kindness.”