Bradford-based Morrisons to give away postcards to help tackle loneliness

Children of Morrisons staff will be colouring postcards and writing messages for the supermarket to distribute to its doorstep delivery customers who are continuing to shield while lockdown restrictions are eased.

Morrisons Community Champions will also be working in partnership with local primary schools to give children postcards illustrated with sunflowers and positive messages that they can colour in.

The school children can post their cards to grandparents, neighbours and friends who they may not have seen recently due to lockdown or give them back to Morrisons to distribute to care homes and via its doorstep delivery service.

David Potts, CEO of Morrisons, said: “Although lockdown is easing across the UK we know that many people in the community are still shielding and therefore unable to meet up with family and friends.

"Customers write to me weekly to let me know that Morrisons Doorstep Delivery service has been a lifeline to them and express their gratitude and we wanted to let them know we will continue to be here for them. We hope these messages will put a smile on people’s faces up and down the country.”

Every Morrisons store will receive 1500 postcards to give away locally.

According to recent data from the Office of National Statistics, nearly half, 47 per cent, of adults in England reported that their wellbeing had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Further research by Morrisons has revealed that 46 per cent of Brits are feeling more isolated and alone than they normally would.

Two thirds, 67 per cent, said a simple act of kindness could help them feel reconnected with their community and three quarters (77 per cent) said it would positively change their entire outlook for the day.

Seven years ago, The Yorkshire Post launched the 'Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic' campaign with two main aims, for loneliness to be universally recognised as a health priority and to encourage readers to volunteer for support services.

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James Mitchinson