Charlie and Judith find more in common than they ever thought
Judith
Judith, a care home resident has rekindled her connection with Maxi’s Mates Rescue and Rehoming Centre for dogs after meeting teenager Charlie through Crafting Connections.
Judith joined the organising committee for the rescue and rehoming centre over a decade ago, back in November 2012. But after moving into a care home, in Saltburn, in 2021, Judith could no longer volunteer at the centre, where she also used to walk the rescue dogs.
After being paired with Charlie by The Together Project’s Crafting Connections, Judith and Charlie have kept in touch. Charlie began by writing to Judith and sending artwork, as well as photos of him volunteering at Maxi’s Mates, when the pair realised their shared connection with the dog centre.
Together they launched an appeal for donations of blankets, toys, food, and other supplies. The care home was inundated with donations, which have since been delivered to Maxi’s Mates.
Charlie has visited Judith at the care home where she lives, and Judith has gone to see Charlie at Maxi’s Mates.
Judith said: “It is wonderful that Charlie and I share this interest in Maxi’s Mates. It is great to see that a teenager is doing volunteering work, especially with something so close to my heart. If it was not for Crafting Connections we would never have met.
“It was great to reconnect with Maxi's Mates and it was wonderful they still remembered me from when I was on the committee. The work they do rehoming all the dogs is outstanding.”
Charlie
Charlie’s mum, Sarah-Jane said: “We took part in Crafting Connections as we saw first-hand how lonely it can be in a care home after my nana (Charlie’s great nana) was taken in one day during the pandemic.
“It was especially tough when the homes were put on lockdown and visitors were not allowed.
“We thought it would be nice to make another older resident smile and we were really surprised to find out Judith lived so close and had Maxi’s Mates in common with Charlie.”
Sharon Lewis, activities coordinator at the care home, said: “What a wonderful morning Judith had at Maxi’s Mates with Charlie and Sarah.
“Some of the staff at the centre remembered Judith and how she helped with the paperwork setting it up. Charlie bought Judith flowers and we met all the dogs.
“It’s wonderful that Crafting Connections friendships can be made between people of different generations.”
Louise Goulden, CEO and founder of The Together Project, said: “It’s such a delight to watch friendships blossom that have been formed through Crafting Connections.
“I love the fact Judith and Charlie have bonded over their shared love of dogs. This project shows time and time again that, though people may be generations apart, we have more in common than that which divides us.”
Help us to spread joy
We want to spread our life-changing work far and wide - and we need your help. As a charity, donations are a really important source of income for us so we’re fundraising to support our vital work that's changing lives across the UK.