A new postal pen friend support service has been launched to help people preparing for, or recovering from, laryngectomy surgery feel less isolated and more supported during a life-changing period.
Life After Lary, a registered charity in England and Wales, has introduced the Pen Friend Support Service to connect patients, families and carers with trained volunteer correspondents who understand the laryngectomy journey through lived experience.
Many people facing laryngectomy surgery experience loneliness and anxiety, particularly those who do not use the internet or social media. The new service offers a simple and personal alternative through handwritten letters, providing encouragement, reassurance and shared understanding.
The service is open to patients preparing for surgery, individuals adjusting to life after a laryngectomy, and family members or carers who would value one-to-one support. Participants are carefully matched with a suitable pen friend who can offer steady companionship and practical insight through regular correspondence.
A spokesperson for the charity said:
“Recovery and adjustment after laryngectomy can feel overwhelming, especially when someone feels cut off from others who truly understand what they are going through. Written letters are personal and private, and they can be reread whenever reassurance is needed. We want people to know they are not alone and that someone is there to listen.”
The Pen Friend Support Service is confidential and free to access. It has been designed particularly for people who prefer traditional written communication or who are not comfortable using online support groups.
Anyone interested in joining the service, either to receive support or to volunteer as a pen friend, can write to:
Life After Lary
90 Brabazon Avenue
Wallington
SM6 9ET
United Kingdom
About Life After Lary
Life After Lary is a registered charity that supports people before and after laryngectomy surgery, as well as their families and carers. The organisation focuses on practical support, shared experience and reducing isolation.