About the Letter Exchange

 Why get involved?

The Letter Exchange is an ongoing programme which connects individual patients in Antara to correspondents in the UK.

The experience of mental illness can be isolating and lonely. We believe that simple human contact and friendship is a powerful way to offer support at some of the worst times of a person's life.

Friends of Antara UK volunteers note how valued the programme is by patients who say that writing provides a means to voice what they otherwise feel unable to express. Participants at both sides seem to enjoy the opportunity to have a personal insight into a different culture and place and to follow the events of each others lives. In some cases enduring friendships have developed.

How it works

We have a national letter exchange coordinator who organises the collection of letters from the UK and distribution of letters from India - all you need is a postal address or e-mail.

• Once you have applied we will link you to a correspondent in Antara.
• You can write as often as you want, but at least once every two months.
• Every two months our letter exchange coordinator sends all the letters and e-mails from UK participants to Antara where patients receive your messages (they are translated if need be).
• Patients at Antara will write back though postage means there are sometimes delays and at other times your correspondent may not feel well enough to write. You should keep writing as its still read and appreciated!

You can keep writing as long as you want and if you feel unable to continue simply let us know. At times your correspondent may leave Antara.

Many will return for day-care so you can keep writing but on occassion we will ask you to write to a different person.

We also organise  one-off  'mass mailings' where you write to an anonymous patient at Antara on a special occassion (such as Bengali New Year). We hope to send a card to every patient on a ward at the time.

How you can get involved

Anyone is able to join the letter exchange, though you should note:

• If you are below 16 we will require the consent of your parent or guardian.
• The letter exchange represents a commitment of time and we look for people who are motivated, patient and understanding.
• You do not need to have experience of mental illness - empathy and a will to listen go a long way. However, in the past we have had several writers in the UK who have ongoing mental health problems and sometimes this brings a deeper understanding of the experiences of patients - we welcome individuals and organisations who want to make such a connection.
  

You can apply  here, or contact our Letter Exchange Coordinator - lxc@friendsofantarauk.org

Alternatively you might want to organise or be involved in a mass-mailing. Contact the letter exchange coordinator or your local Friends of Antara UK group for more details.