Morrisons is drawing on the power of card sending to spread messages of hope in its nationwide initiative to help tackle loneliness within communities.
The supermarket is giving away half a million free postcards, which children will colour in and then give and post to others to send messages of support and care.
The campaign has several strands. Firstly, children of Morrisons’ employees have been colouring in the postcards that are now being distributed to the supermarket’s doorstop delivery customers who are continuing to shield while lockdown restrictions are eased.
Meanwhile, Morrisons’ Community Champions are also working in partnership with local primary schools for their pupils to colour in the uplifting sunflower postcard design.
These school children are using these postcards to send/give them to their grandparents, neighbours and friends who they may not have seen recently due to lockdown.
Any surplus coloured-in postcards are being given them back to Morrisons and these will be distributed to care homes and via its Doorstop Delivery Service.
The project’s background research that was commissioned by Morrisons revealed that 46% of Brits are currently feeling more isolated and alone that they normally would.
Reinforcing the potency of sending a card, the research highlighted that 67% members of the public say that a simple act of kindness, such as by receiving a greeting card, helps them to feel reconnected with their community. Over three quarters (77%) said this would positively change their entire outlook for the day.
“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,” said David Potts, ceo of Morrisons. “We hope these messages will put a smile on people’s faces up and down the country.”
This postcard initiative is the latest from Morrisons which aims to make good things happen and bring hope to the nation. Last week, Morrisons gave away 25 million sunflower seeds to customers to grow at home and launched its ‘Little Sunshine’ award to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in their local community throughout the pandemic.
Top: The free postcard giveaway is all part of Morrisons’ philanthropic ethos.
