Endorsements
Here are some nice things people have said about Many Happy Returns
Endorsements
"I bought the 1940s Many Happy Returns cards for my mother-in-law this Christmas. In fact, we only needed to look at two cards as they brought out an extensive and most interesting discussion around the nature and role of evacuees from London during the war and also, most amusingly for her children in the room, a description of her first date....The photographs are powerful and the accompanying words provide the reader with an immediate key into many interesting memories." W. Barney, Surrey “I was given a pack of the 1940s MANY HAPPY RETURNS CARDS for Christmas and I wanted to write to say how impressed we were with them. The layout and design is clear yet imaginative, they were incredibly simple to use, and provided many stimulating topics of conversation. Our teenage children found them really helpful, as the cards put into context and also a time period, the central events in their elderly relations’ lives and gave them loads of new subjects to talk about, rather than just the usual – oldies asking the kids questions such as "how’s school?". For once, the children appeared genuinely interested in their grandparents' reminiscences! Thank you once again - it really is a brilliant idea.” D. Morris and family of three generations, London "I so enjoy talking about how life used to be in our family and the cards make it really easy to remember." I. Benbow, Middlesex, age 78, living with dementia "I bought the box for my 92 year-old father who has early stage dementia – the stories we have been sharing are wonderful, some I had never heard before. Now I am buying them for all my friends – they are fantastic, well done!" M. Rosario
Shaaron Caratella, General Manager, Barchester Care Home, Wimbledon
"Many congratulations on your splendid initiative and well-deserved coverage of a brilliant idea.
From personal experience I can testify to the value of the memory cards in providing a valuable overture, for carers, volunteers, family and friends, to encourage older people to recapture precious memories of the past.
Best wishes for your continued success..."
Trevor Lyttleton MBE. Founder, Contact the Elderly
"I just had to contact you to say how marvellous the cards are. Apart from being beautifully designed and easy to use, they have really struck a chord with our residents and always lead to very satisfying conversations. Please do some more products soon!"
Judy Carey, care home West Yorkshire
(We're on the case Judy!)
"The children gained greatly from the experience of their encounter with the older people - something quite rare in their lives. They found both the experience and the cards were enjoyable and fun and we've already organised to go back to see them again at the end of term. I thought it was very good for the children to learn about life from a different time and could see that they began to appreciate and value the differences between them and people whose life experience was so unalike their own. We would definitely do it again."
Caroline Burnett, Deputy Headteacher, Wimbledon Chase School
"I really enjoyed learning about what life was like then - and lots of it was quite surprising."
Jane T. Younger person
"It was just so lovely to remember and chat about those times - and it really makes you think how much life here has changed."
Vera H. Guest, Contact the Elderly
"The interaction between the old and young was marvellous and it was quite obvious that the children themselves took away a great deal from the visit. It was so good to see the older people talking so easily and freely to the younger generation and both at ease with one another and exchanging their life's experiences."
Sue Laver, Teaching assistant, Devon Primary School
"The experience was very good for participation between the children and the residents and the questions and the level of engagement and enjoyment were excellent. I feel strongly that the conversations would not have happened without the activity."
Chris Upjohn, Activity provider, BUPA Care Home
"All the children were very enthusiastic about the session, they enjoyed being with the old people and their 'quirks' as much as their lucidity. The children all referred to things they hadn't known before.They certainly gained from the experience and I'm sure the old folk did as well. The cards are a very good idea..."
Ken Ford, Headmaster, Surrey Primary School
"...the product is produced to very high design quality and is a genuinely lovely and interesting 'thing' - which we are sure works. We are very pleased to endorse and support Many Happy Returns 1940s and look forward to the positive impact that the packs will have for our many voluntary visitors and carers alike."
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive, Independent Age
"Negative, ageist stereotypes often disappear when different generations come together and learn to understand and appreciate each other through products like Many Happy Returns."
Stephen Burke, CEO Counsel and Care
"Work is ongoing across government to explore opportunities for promoting and supporting intergenerational working as a means of preventing social isolation and helping to improve health and wellbeing amongst older people. …I very much appreciate the contribution of the Many Happy Returns project.”
Phil Hope MP, Minister of State for Care Services
