First, there was Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds: the ABC documentary series that captured hearts by bringing together older people with preschoolers and watching the fun, connections and unexpected friendships that grew.

Now, in a similar vein, a heartwarming new penpal program led by Lutheran Care in partnership with St Paul Lutheran School in Blair Athol is connecting generations and reviving the art of letter writing.

The Intergenerational PenPal Program, being piloted at the school this year, has seen letters exchanged between the school’s Year 4 children and elderly community members who are part of Lutheran Care’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), including residents of a local aged care home.

From favourite colours, pets and sports, to hobbies, food and cultural backgrounds, the children have enjoyed sharing snippets of their lives with their older friends — and learning about theirs in return.

The children were especially fascinated to write to one recipient aged over 100, imagining all she had seen in her lifetime — from the Second World War to space exploration.

Nine-year-old Lachlan was excited to discover a shared passion with his penpal, Mark.

“Mark and I are both into dinosaurs,” Lachlan said. They enjoyed swapping their favourite dinosaur facts, with Lachlan revealing: “Not all creatures that lived back then were dinosaurs — there were flying reptiles, marine reptiles and amphibians, too.”

Many children expected their penpals to have very different interests, but were surprised to discover how much they had in common — even with some of their older friends now in their 80s, 90s, and over 100!

One highlight was receiving a hand-drawn cartoon of one of the older participants, Tom. Another was deciphering the cursive handwriting in the letters — a fun challenge and valuable learning opportunity for the children.

Shamshir, 10, reflected on what it might feel like for her penpal to receive her letter: “I think they would have been happy, because I don’t think they get that many letters very often,” she said.

“It’s like having a friend,” Dinuk, 10, added.

For many children whose grandparents live overseas or have passed away, connecting with an older person was particularly special. Similarly, many older participants have limited contact with younger people, so the letters offered a joyful break in routine and a creative avenue for connection.

The letters were exchanged over several months, and culminated in a wonderful morning tea get together in November, bringing together the children, their elderly penpals, and supporting ACVVS volunteers.

St Paul Lutheran School Principal, Leila Mattner, said the project was a perfect fit for the school’s values.

“Service forms a big part of what Lutheran Education aims for, as well as what we’re teaching the children here,” Mrs Mattner said.

“Two of our values fit really closely: ‘we are kind’ and ‘we make a difference’.

“To be able to serve a group of people who we wouldn’t normally have everyday contact with in a primary school fitted beautifully with what we do at St Paul, by showing children they can make a difference in everyday life.”

ACVVS is a federally funded program that matches friendly volunteers with older people at risk of social isolation, providing companionship and connection through regular visits.  Lutheran Care has delivered the program for more than 30 years, forming thousands of friendships and easing loneliness through meaningful connections. In the context of the Intergenerational PenPal Program, the ACVVS volunteer visitors helped their older friends read and reply to the children’s letters. Some recipients wrote their own responses; others dictated them while volunteers acted as scribes. Lutheran Care coordinated and managed the letter exchanges.

▶️ Watch the video about the Intergenerational PenPal Project

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Lutheran Care’s ACVVS Project Leader at the time, Sonja Williams, said the program added a wonderful new dimension to an already rewarding initiative.

“The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is a real joy-spreader in itself – but this intergenerational initiative takes that joy to another level,” she said. “We all need reasons to smile, and it’s impossible not to smile at this lovely project.”

Lutheran Care Executive Manager Specialist Services, Ashleigh Hosking, added that the program highlights the simple yet powerful impact of human connection.

“We hear that so many older people miss having contact with young people,” Ms Hosking said. “This program doesn’t just brighten their day — it reminds them they are valued and still have so much wisdom to share. And for the children, it’s been a beautiful way to learn empathy, communication and appreciation for different generations.

“Lutheran Care has also welcomed the opportunity to strengthen the partnership with St Paul, through this initiative.

“There is already an embedded Lutheran Care Counsellor who works in the school to provide support to children [through the Counselling in Schools program].

“Coincidentally a couple of our ACVVS volunteer visitors are parents at the school and another is related to a member of the staff.

“It’s been really special to find another way to collaborate with the school and their warm and welcoming school community.”

Mrs Mattner commended Lutheran Care on creating the initiative. “The way that Lutheran Care is searching for different ways to support all ages in our community, I think it’s really wonderful.”

ACVVS is always seeking volunteer visitors who would like to make a connection with an older South Australian. We also need elderly people at risk of loneliness who would like to receive a visitor. For more information about Lutheran Care and the ACVVS program, visit www.lutherancare.org.au/ACVVS

For more information about St Paul Lutheran School, visit www.stpaulba.sa.edu.au