Award winning engagement
Helping to tackle loneliness in intergenerational age groups
- Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- School of English
Writing Back
Writing Back
Writing Back is an award-winning letter writing project which pairs students with older residents across the Yorkshire region in order to help tackle loneliness and social isolation.
Loneliness is an issue for many elderly people, especially those with limited mobility; equally, many young people who attend university may experience homesickness or a desire to better connect with others.
Established by Dr Georgina Binnie in 2014, Writing Back aims to shed light on this issue and encourage cross-generational friendships by bringing together individuals from these two different demographics.
About our project
Find out more about our project and watch our media interviews
More on About our projectImpact
Find out about the awards we have won and find out how the project has benefited our students
More on ImpactCase studies
See some of the letters our students and their penpals have exchanged
More on Case studiesNational recognition
Since its inception the Writing Back project has received national acclaim and the following awards:
- Winner: Positive Partner in Society Award 2016-17 (University of Leeds)
- Finalist: Individual-led Projects, Engage Awards 2016 (National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement)
- Winner: Making a World of Difference campaign grant 2016 (Footsteps Fund, University of Leeds)
- Winner: Public Engagement Award (University of Leeds)
- Winner: Leeds for Life Foundation Award 2015 (University of Leeds)