Care home residents form friendships with pen pals at Erskine Stewart's Melville School in Edinburgh

Residents from a care home in Edinburgh have struck up a friendship with school pupils after becoming pen pals.

Residents from Murrayfield House Care Home are swapping stories, wisdom, and encouragement with students from Erskine Stewart’s Melville School through an inspiring pen pal initiative.

The letter exchange has sparked joy and nostalgia, with residents sharing tales from their rich lives and offering support to their young correspondents.

The students, who are currently studying for their exams, met their pen pals for the first time during a visit to the care home.

One of the residents writing letters is Jean Walker, a former teacher and headteacher at Clarebank School in Edinburgh.

“Everybody was so friendly – it’s made me very happy,” she said.

She joked: “Seeing all these smartly dressed people is overwhelming.”

Horatio has been enjoying getting to know his penpal STV News

S5 pupil Ronan Tierney said: “We’ve been getting to know them, asking what they’ve done with their lives. You can ask them for what is their happiest moment in life, the lessons they’ve learned.

“It’s pretty special to sit yourself down and take the time to write about something you care about. It’s a lot more emotionally intertwined and takes more effort.”

Robbie Sinclair, also in S5, added: “I found it really rewarding. It’s really nice to connect with the older generation.

“You can ask them for what is their happiest moment of their lives, the lessons they have learned.

“Writing a letter by hand, taking the time to put a bit of thought into it and get that response is really special.”

School pupils met with residents at the local care home STV News

S4 pupil Horatio Scorah has been writing letters to Eileen Vaughn over the last six months.

“It’s amazing – to finally meet her is nice,” he said. “I’ve been asking her questions, like her favourite holiday, which helps remind her of what a good life she’s had.

“I think with messages, it’s shorter and less meaningful. When you’re writing letters, it comes from the heart.

“You can learn a lot because in the modern day you have social media teaching you things, but I don’t hear much from older people about what their experiences actually are.”

Eileen said she has been speaking to Horatio about preparing for his exams.

Pupils met with residents at Murrayfield House Care Home STV News

“You go through difficult times at school – the learning and exams can be stressful – I know I used to worry,” she said.

“It’s a stressful time for them growing up as well. It’s a lot different to how it used to be – the world is changing.

“It’s been so good to put a face to the writing.”

Wellbeing coordinator Norma Mackie said: “It’s been an amazing experience for residents.

“It’s a joy for them to read how the boys are doing and seeing how they are progressing through life with their school, exams and hobbies. Some residents don’t have family and it’s like that connection for them.

“It gives us as coordinators and as carers, every part of this home, a sense of joy to see the look in their faces when they get that letter. The determination when they’re writing the letter and then getting it posted.”