From me to you - lockdown letters book launch!

We're excited to launch From me to you: letters during lockdown – a wonderful new book of heartwarming letters and pictures from Barnet pupils to some of the older people we support.

These shared experiences of lockdown will be a snapshot of these unprecedented times!

‘The book is made up of the best entries from a competition we ran in the summer of 2020 when we asked primary school children in Barnet to write or draw about their experience of lockdown to share with some of our older friends,’ says Age UK Barnet chief executive Helen Newman

The idea was to reach out to Barnet’s older people and help them feel more connected and less socially isolated. Many have been cut off completely from life outside. ‘It was great to be able to bring the generations together in this way,’ says Helen.

‘The overall standard was really high and I was touched by how much effort the children made.  As well as sharing stories and facts about themselves, they were also very thoughtful and many of them offered words of comfort and positivity,’ says Professor Catherine Loveday, Age UK Barnet trustee and one of our three judges.

The winners were 9-year-old Charlie, from St John's School in Friern Barnet, who wrote an incredibly honest and touching letter about his life in lockdown, and 11-year-old Ananya, from New Barnet, who composed a very sweet uplifting poem about grandparents.

'What I particularly loved about the winning entries was the interesting and beautiful way that they shared something special about themselves, in particular Charlie’s description of his 74-year-old tree-climbing grandad!’ says Catherine.

 ‘Social isolation can be very damaging so the main aim of this project was to show our older neighbours that they are not alone and that many people are thinking of them,’ says Catherine.  ‘We thought that letters from young people might be particularly helpful and comforting, and at the same time it would strengthen connections between these generations. By encouraging the children to think about their older neighbours, we also hoped it might make them more aware of their vulnerability and do their bit to keep them safe by wearing masks and washing their hands.'

This is exactly what inspired winner Ananya to write her poem. ‘I live with my grandparents so when I heard about older people being on their own, I wanted to help and let them know we were thinking of them. I hope it makes them feel happier.’

How to get hold of a copy

Each book costs a suggested donation of £7 and further donations are welcome.
The best way to donate is via our JustGiving page - click here for the link. Once you have donated, please email info@ageukbarnet.org.uk to let us know you have made a book purchase and to give us your name and postal address details in order to send you your copy.