Fairburn Vale resident calls on community to send postcards as heartwarming collection grows
A care home resident in Castleford is inviting kind-hearted members of the community to send him postcards as part of a growing collection that has become a symbol of friendship, conversation and connection.
Richard Lee Davis, who lives at Exemplar Health Care’s Fairburn Vale care home, has built up an impressive collection of 112 postcards from across the UK and around the world – and he’s now hoping to add many more to his wall.
Fairburn Vale provides specialist nursing care for adults living with complex mental and physical health needs arising from a primary neurological diagnosis, such as brain injury, stroke or motor neurone disease.
Richard’s collection began with a single postcard from the home’s former maintenance man, Gary.
Richard said: “He sent me a postcard from his holiday and I really liked it. It made me feel good and I enjoyed hearing all about his trip, so I thought it would be nice to start collecting them.”
Since then, colleagues at Fairburn Vale have continued the tradition, sending Richard postcards from their holidays to destinations including Spain, America, Jamaica and seaside towns across the UK.
The postcards are proudly displayed on Richard’s bedroom walls and have become a real talking point within the home.
Richard explained: “They’re all meaningful to me because they’re all places I’ve never been. I don’t have a favourite, they’re all my favourites, but I do prefer it when people write on the back!”
“It means a lot to me. It’s a good conversation starter when people come into my room. It helps me find out more about the team members and their holidays, and it makes me feel involved and important.”
Richard’s journey at Fairburn Vale has been a remarkable one. When he first moved into the home, he was unable to do anything independently and used a wheelchair. Today, he walks around and does most things for himself and has been preparing for another exciting milestone: becoming a grandad for the first time.
Katie Leonard, Home Manager at Fairburn Vale, said: “At Fairburn Vale, we support adults living with complex neurological conditions to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Richard’s postcard collection is a wonderful example of how small, thoughtful gestures can have a big impact.
“Receiving postcards has helped Richard build friendships, start conversations and feel connected to the world beyond the home. It truly reflects our commitment to making every day better for the people we support.”
Colleagues say the postcard tradition has brought warmth and positivity to the home, with team members always keen to see the latest addition to Richard’s collection.
Asking members of the public to send postcards from their towns, cities and holiday destinations, Richard said: “They don’t have to be expensive. I just like receiving them and reading what people have written.”
If you’d like to send Richard a postcard and be part of his growing collection, you can post it to: Richard Lee Davis, Fairburn Vale Care Home, Wheldon Rd, Ferry Fryston, Fairburn
Castleford, WF10 2PY
Each postcard will help spark new conversations, new friendships, and bring a little piece of somewhere new to Fairburn Vale.