The Letterbox Project

The letterbox project sends handwritten letters from across the country to people experiencing isolation and loneliness. We source writers, manage and approve all letters, and deliver them safety to vulnerable people.

Launched in early 2020, the Letterbox Project quickly became a national service supporting tens of thousands of people. We have over 13,000 writers and are averaging over 500 letters being sent each week into nursing homes, disability services, and to lonely people across the country. There are over 270 schools participating, and a growing list of large corporations getting involved.

With the support of the community, we are working to ensure that every individual has access to safe connection and community, allowing them to stay visible and valued.

Watch this video to see the impact our letters are having on people across the country

Write

We welcome writers from all walks of life, from individuals and families, schools, community groups, and businesses. There is no age limit, you can elect to write once or regularly, and we ensure that your personal information is protected.

Receive

The process to register yourself, a loved one, or a facility to receive letters is easy and secure. You can elect to receive one letter, multiple letters, or even choose to establish a pen-pal.

Safety and Privacy

Safety is our paramount concern and we have strict privacy policies and procedures. We do not share any identifiable personal information, and all letters are sent direct to our team for approval before being sent to the recipient.

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Register to

Register to Write a Letter
Register to Receive a Letter

The why

  • There are 250,000 Australians in residential aged care across the country and up to 40% do not get visits
  • 1 in 8 adults with a disability get less than 30 minutes daily interaction with another person
  • 2.5 million Australians are not connected to the internet
  • There are more than 6,000 young people with disabilities in permanent residential aged care
  • Loneliness is an equal risk factor for mortality as smoking and obesity
  • Loneliness is linked to multiple chronic conditions including heart disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders, to name a few
  • Isolation and loneliness are major predictors of mental health problems
Elderly man sitting on bench alone