We could not let the Coronation of Our Patron HRH The Queen Camilla pass without marking the incredible event in some positive way.
David and I spent many hours designing the card, addressing envelopes and then sending out our a very special Silver Stories card to every one of our Silver Listeners, home based Silver Readers and Silver Stories’ schools, to thank them all for their participation and to recognise the huge difference that they are making to the lives of others.
Home Silver Readers also received a £15 book token with Silver Stories schools receiving a £50 book token.
Picture of Mary, a long serving Silver Reader who loves taking part in Silver Stories and who makes a hugely positive impact for her Silver Listener Jacquie.
Below are just a selection of the wonderful ‘thank you’ messages that we have received.
“Well – the excitement levels went to the next level as they opened their cards and discovered their ‘Silver Stories Membership cards’ (actually book tokens). What a beautiful photograph of the Queen and just thank you for this.”
Mother of three home based Silver Readers
“My card is in pride of place in the middle of my mantelpiece. I can see it now. It was so lovely of you to send the card, thank you so much.”
Silver Listener
“Just to say thank you so very much for the lovely card and book token for our school, we really appreciate it. Our children at the school are really enjoying participating in Silver Stories and we reward them in return for their valuable commitment.”
Silver Stories School Penthorpe, Sussex
“Thank you so much for the card and the voucher to mark the Coronation of HRH Queen Camilla.
It has been my absolute pleasure to run the Silver Stories Scheme with Bridge and Patrixbourne School CEP Canterbury We are a small and close-knit community and so, after covid we decided it would be especially beneficial to the older community within our village to invite them to take part in this scheme.
We took a group of our children to the Jubilee Celebrations at The Fish Scheme, a local group that provides a fortnightly meet-up with tea and cake, or soup lunches for the older members of the community.
The children and I had prepared a presentation to tell the members about the Silver Stories Scheme and printed off the information to leave with them. Straight-away we had our first listeners.
Since that day we have built up beautiful friendships with our listeners, checking on them after hospital visits and operations, and speaking with their families. The Children have written to them and invited them to events for which we have provided transport where necessary and served them afternoon tea!
The scheme has clearly been beneficial to both our readers and listeners and it has been a joy to see the children gaining confidence, not only in their reading but also in their conversational skills, in a world where it is so much more common to send a text now, rather than to have a conversation.
Sadly, I will not be at the school from the end of this term, but I am confident that my colleague, Helen will continue to maintain these connections that have become so important to our listeners.
In the next week or so, I am planning to take all the children that have been a part of the scheme to our local Waterstones branch to each select a book for our school Library using the voucher you so kindly sent us.”
Silver Stories School, Bridge and Patrixbourne CEP School, Canterbury
“I am just emailing to express my sincere thanks for the lovely card you have sent myself and my Silver Readers along with the generous gift card, we will enjoy choosing some nice prizes! I must say our students have really enjoyed reading to the listeners who have been so supportive and who have helped their confidence no end. I have received some lovely feedback from them and also from staff and parents. We will be continuing next term and hopefully building up our network of volunteers even further!”
Silver Stories School, Culcheth High School, Culcheth, Warrington
“The children were delighted, and I have tasked my silver readers with choosing some books to spend the gift card on.”
Silver Stories School, St Joseph’s, Launceston
“He received the beautiful card and very generous book token from Silver Stories. He was so delighted. Thank you so much. I must say that it is you guys that are doing a great job. Reading to his Silver Listener for him is very rewarding because he doesn’t really have a relationship with his grandparents. God moves in mysterious ways.
The Silver Reader above took his card into school and it was shown to everyone in assembly”
Parent from Lord Scudamore Academy, Hereford.
We also welcome new Silver Readers and Silver Listeners every week, here are just two comments from our latest recruits!
COMMENT from relative of new Silver Listener:
“That’s great, thanks for letting me know. I’m sure she loved it. This contact from a new person is so important for her and her mental health. It’s really appreciated by both of us”
Comment from parent of Silver Reader to the above Silver Listener :
“XXX read so lovely to his Silver Listener tonight
I told him to slow his reading so it flowed perfectly to make the story more interesting and have the time to add voice changes.
The Silver Listener was so happy in her voice.
She told XXX he was such a lovely boy
It brought tears of happiness to my eyes!
It’s one of the most kindest things to do for anyone who is struggling for what ever reason.
Silver stories really does touch people’s hearts 💕
Silver Stories is the best innovation ever; amazing thanks to you guys xx”
