The lockdown has seen an increase in isolation and loneliness, particularly among those who are not able to connect online. But our team in Gloucestershire had a plan to help.

They have been connecting children with older people to write letters to each other as pen pals!

So far there are ten children so far who have been connected and many more waiting to find someone to write to.

On Saturday, BBC Gloucestershire spoke to seven year old Jake about his pen pal Tom, who is “quite old” and likes “playing dominoes”. Followed by eleven year old Phoebe and her pen pal Janet who explains why the idea is so important.

Listen to the pen pal interviews

Jake

Phoebe