Crompton House postcard project goes from strength to strength

The Crompton House #WriteaSmile postcard project continues to from strength to strength.

The project encourages students to think about what makes them feel happy - a funny memory, poem, or joke.

They are then asked to write it down and send it on a colourful postcard to a member of the community, with the aim of bringing a smile to the faces of both the writer and the reader.

Since its launch in February, students have hand-written over 1,500 postcards to local primary schools, Oldham Hospital patients, residential homes, the church community and to one another with the hope of raising a smile.

During Children’s Mental Health Week with the theme of ‘Lets Connect,’ CHS reached out to the young people of local Oldham secondary school Newman RC College, to join in the project and spread the message.

Newman created their own version of the #WriteaSmile postcard and students from both schools wrote encouraging messages to each other focusing on Year 7 and year 11 children who may be struggling to adapt to a new school environment or impending GCSE exam pressure.

The postcards were hand delivered by CHS #WriteaSmile Ambassadors Courtney and Indiya and exchanged with Newman Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors Justina and Luke and Ms Madeley, Newman's Assistant Mental Health Lead.

Claire Cullen, Learning Zone Manager at Crompton House, said: “We are very proud of the #WriteaSmile project, it’s a brilliant way of highlighting the positive effects reading and writing can have on our mental health and wellbeing, whilst hopefully spreading a little happiness and raising a smile during stressful times.”

Elizabeth Madeley, Newman Mental Health Lead, added: “I think the "write a smile" project is a great initiative from young people whose aim is to spread a little joy in their community and beyond.

"They turned ideas into action, now like a stone dropped in water the ripples are slowly spreading in the way they envisioned.

"I am full of admiration for the ambassadors of this project and cannot wait to see how far it goes, reminds me of the film Pay It Forward.”

During mental health week our #WriteaSmile Ambassadors, Kaya and Olivia also visited Oldham Hospital’s children unit where postcards were handed to nurses to give to children and parents on the ward.

Jessica Pollard, Fundraising Officer for the North Care Charity, showed the school's young ambassadors around the children’s ward where staff voiced the positive impact #WriteaSmile has had.

Jessica Pollard, Fundraising Officer for the North Care Charity – supporting the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Kaya and Olivia, pupils from Crompton House School.

"Pupils at Crompton House School have gone above and beyond, raising £200 through #WriteaSmile.

"Thank you for your kind donation, it is appreciated by all staff and patients at the Royal Oldham Hospital Children’s Unit.”

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