“Although YYGS ended six months ago, I am still in contact with many of my friends that I met during the program. Every day I get to see their amazing projects unfold from the other side of the world; they inspire me to take action and also bring my passions to life. The connections I made at YYGS will last for my entire lifetime.”
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Australia, especially in Melbourne, has led to us being in Stage 4 lockdown where masks are compulsory, and curfews have been put in place. We can only go outside to shop for essential items or exercise for a maximum of 1 hour a day. In the last few days, there have been over 100 COVID-19 cases in aged-care homes across Melbourne. The isolation has taken a noticeable mental toll on these elderly residents. Just this morning, I received a message from an aged-care worker who informed me that her residents cannot meet their families and are becoming more and more emotionally distressed.
To help improve this situation for elderly residents, I am currently running my Letters Against ISO program. In the early months of 2020, I founded this organisation with the aim of bringing a smile to the faces of aged-care residents, as well as to bridge the intergenerational gap between young people and the elderly. I believe that the act of physically engaging with our communication adds another layer to our connections, adding a personal touch. Writing letters to the elderly has become a way for youth to show their support towards those who need it most in our community.
In the last few months, my organisation has managed to write a personalised encouragement letter to over 1000 elderly residents across Victoria in 15 different languages. Letters Against ISO has writers from over 20 high schools and universities across Melbourne, as well as writers from Poland and Spain.