Christmas Cards of Kindness

If you follow our Postcards of Kindness project on Facebook you'll know we recently partnered with thortful.com cards to raise money for Dementia Adventure via a very special collection of postcards. Detailed below, the concepts for the cards were developed by members of the charity's special interest group, each one living with a form of dementia, and brought to life by members of thortful's community of creators. The idea is very simple; via the thortful app anyone will be able to choose a postcard and send Christmas wishes and memories to any of our 1,000+ care homes registered with Postcards of Kindness. 100% of the profits from each card's sale will go to Dementia Adventure, a charity that promotes, organises and funds outdoor adventures for those living with dementia. The hope is that each card will trigger nostalgia or inspire a conversation, to let care home residents know they're not alone this Christmas - a priceless outcome for just 99p. The cards can also be bought as greetings cards via thortful.com, for 99p using discount code KINDNESS20. What a wonderful way to spread their joy even further!

You can read more about the inspiration behind cards in this article, published on our launch day: Mum with early onset Alzheimer's chosen as designer of new charity Christmas cards.

or here:

5 Charitable Christmas Ideas.
Online card company launches festive charity postcards in bid to tackle loneliness this Christmas.

Our own managing director, Vicki Weller, says:

“We are always looking for new ways to connect our residents with other people, and encourage their involvement in the wider community.  I used to send cards to my nana about my adventures in between visits to her when I was younger. I knew then just how much those cards meant to her and was so keen for our residents to experience the happiness triggered when we receive a handwritten card just for us. This year we wanted to share those memories, and the anticipation of waiting for the postman with other care homes around the UK and beyond. We are so proud of the project and how far it has reached and know that people will support us in sharing festive memories with our elderly community and care homes in the group.”

Dementia Adventure CEO Vivienne Depledge comments: "Many of us know someone affected by dementia, which can be a very isolating condition.  After diagnosis, a third of people say that they have lost friends and their social lives decline. People can find themselves spending most of their time indoors and unable to take part in activities they once enjoyed. This dramatically affects their sense of purpose and well-being.  So we are delighted to be working alongside thortful as part of this campaign. We invited our advisory group of people living with dementia to have the opportunity to be involved in the design process. We would hope that these cards will encourage many people to reach out with messages of friendship and kindness this Christmas"

We're so proud of this collaboration, the joy it will bring to care home residents this Christmas, and the valuable funds it will raise for Dementia Adventure.

Which card is your favourite?

‘A time for togetherness’

Concept by: Dr Joy Watson: ‘My passion is for helping people affected by dementia to live as well as they can. This idea brought together the spirit of Christmas & it gave me a voice to express what kindness looks like.’

Design by Michelle Lancaster, Wink Designs

‘Thinking of you at Christmas’

This one was inspired by an original photograph by Dr James McKillop MBE: ‘You can be a person again (after diagnosis) and respected for what you can still do. I want the viewer to be able to go out into the world, and enjoy being alive. Let your talents, whatever they may be, flourish. I have seen some wonderful original work done by people with dementia AFTER diagnosis. I want them to say "I can do that too".’

Design by Toowordy

 ‘Christmas memory markers’

This card was designed using feedback from Howard Gordon: ‘I got involved because, sadly, many people have no family or contact not just at Christmas. I want to say you’re not alone. It will hopefully put a smile on someone’s face.’

Design by Louise Gardner

‘Yuletide Greetings’

Yuletide Greetings was designed using feedback from Lorraine Brown: ‘There are so many different people with different beliefs, you’re still the same person when you're diagnosed with dementia. I wanted to reach out to those not necessarily celebrating Christmas.’

Design by Shutterjunkie

We do hope you'll consider supporting our Christmas Cards of Kindness.

- Louise Baker, Marketing Assistant.