Pete McKee postcard and a bag of Yorkshire Tea included in boxes that aim to spark joy among isolated older people created in Sheffield

The city's organisation fighting loneliness in older people, Age Better in Sheffield, has teamed up with a number of artists and organisations to create the letter box- sized Hello Neighbour kits, which include activities such as puzzles and colouring, jokes and poems, plus stamps and envelopes so people can keep connected, and information on befriending services and keeping active.

While enjoying a postcard designed by Sheffield artist Pete McKee, or completing a page from Josephine Dellow’s famous Sheffield Colouring Book or reading Warda Yassin’s Sheffield poem, precipitants can put the kettle on and drink a cup of Yorkshire Tea thanks to the bag supplied.

So far, 1,500 of the boxes have already being distributed amongst Age Better’s partner organisations such as Sheffield Mind, Age UK, Soar, Reach South Sheffield, Lai Yin Association, and South Yorkshire Housing Association, as well as other community organisations based in the programme’s target wards - and there are still around 800 left to give out.

Hannah Thornton, communications and toolkit officer for Age Better in Sheffield said:“These are really tough times for many people, and especially for those who live alone, are shielding, or who aren’t online. All of our work at Age Better in Sheffield focuses on growing and nurturing connections and communities to help reduce loneliness – this feels more important now than ever before, though of course has new challenges as all we maintain physical distancing.

"Although everyone’s idea of joy is different we hope that at least some of the items in these boxes spark creativity, remind people of the wonderful city we live in, help connections thrive, and reassure people that we (and many other organisations) are here for them if they need us.

"We’d like to say another big thank you to all the wonderful people in Sheffield who have generously contributed their work for this – it has been a hugely collaborative effort and there’s a lot of love being sent in every box. A final thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund whose support has enabled us to create these boxes.”

The team are also working with South Yorkshire Housing Association to create a special menu of activities for this year’s The Big Lunch, an annual event that encourages people to share lunch with their neighbours. There are usually tea parties, street parties, and get-togethers of all shapes and sizes, but this year's event has had to be put on hold.

However, Age Better in Sheffield are encouraging people to take their pick from a menu of lunch time activities. From volunteering, to sharing recipes, to sharing a lunch over a video call, the menu is full of ways people of all ages can be kind, neighbourly and connected.

The Hello Neighbour boxes are available for anyone who are aged 50 and over, living alone, or shielding. Call 0114 2900 294 and ask to speak to a member of the Age Better in Sheffield team, or email [email protected] to request a box.