Cecelia Grant
Mar 28, 2026
Living in the modern 21st century, the majority of the world has been taken by storm with the influx of digital technology, which has reshaped society and the way newer generations foster connections with one another. While most of society has accepted and become adjusted to this reality as time has progressed, a project led by BBC North West Tonight actively countered this with its mission to bring generations together with the usage of a pen pal program.
In the coastal town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, in England, this pen pal project1 holds the initiative of connecting primary school students with elderly people, working to strengthen writing skills and foster human connections across generations without the usage of technology. Educators like primary school head teacher Dave McPartlin have expressed the value in this slower, more thoughtful means of communication. According to the BBC (article linked below), he discussed how “we need to connect a bit more like we used to back in the good old days” by encouraging these handwritten letters.
A lot of this pushback against modern technology has stemmed from the amount of time that children are spending on devices, which has contributed to a decline in shared interests and meaningful memories. With the intent to promote a rich, more fulfilling childhood for this generation, students began writing to members of an aqua aerobics class at the local YMCA. Students like 9-year old Jesse emphasized his excitement upon becoming a pen pal with an elderly person. According to the BBC (article linked below), he described how, “[i]t’s just so exciting. It’s just a calming thing to do.” This letter was received by 76 year old Dennis Spence, and they fostered a bond over football. Other students like Skyla described how this program helped her improve writing skills and build confidence in her interests and identity. Skyla wrote with 73 year-old Lynn Aldersley who bonded over their love for roller skating.
All in all, this pen pal program has actively broken down generational barriers and demonstrated that traditional forms of communication still play a powerful role in uniting otherwise divided communities.
1 www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqw7z87qv3o
This article was adapted from the BBC’s The lost art of writing letters uniting generations by Lauren Hirst and Annie Knowlson.
Hirst, Lauren, and Annie Knowlson. “The Lost Art of Letter Writing Uniting Generations.” BBC, 22 Feb. 2026, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqw7z87qv3o.