SENIOR Australians will be able to form new connections with Australia Post establishing a new Senior Pen Pal Club.
The club will link together seniors' organisations to assist older Australians to find new friends and help relieve the issue of social isolation experienced by one-in-five Australians over the age of 75.
Australia Post chief marketing officer Amber Collins said this was a unique opportunity for older Ausralians to maintain and establish connections at a time when people could be isolated.
"Given the events of 2020 so far, maintaining and establishing connections with others has never been more important," she said.
"Through the Australia Post Senior Pen Pal Club, we want to offer as many senior Australians as possible the chance to connect with other like-minded people in the community.
"In recent months, we have seen just how important the Post Office is for people, particularly the vulnerable in our community including the elderly. It is a true community hub for so many, and through the Senior Pen Pal we hope to be able to strengthen those connections even further."
She said this built on the Pen Pal Club, which was an educational letter writing program aimed at primary schools and involving 8253 classrooms so far.
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Council on the Ageing Australia's chief executive Ian Yates said older Australians have a lifetime of experience knowing the value of friendship, connection, and community, but many found themselves facing loneliness and isolation - something exacerbated in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Senior Pen Pal Club is a great example of older Australians helping older Australians, and it is great to see Australia Post supporting people in this way," he said.
The Australia Post Senior Pen Pal Club is available to all senior organisations including retirement estates, aged care facilities, senior citizens clubs, Probus and 3UA.
To get involved in the initiative a representative from seniors' organisations need to register their facility, club or estate online. They will be paired with a corresponding organisation and given tips on how to get started, along with letter templates and guides for inspiration.
- Details: auspost.com.au/senior-penpal-club
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