Donate A Letter FAQs
Thank you for your interest in our Donate A Letter programme. We often get asked how it works, so this is a short FAQs on the programme and what happens to your letter once it arrives with us.
How do I get started?
The first step is to sign up for the Donate A Letter programme. When you do, you’ll receive a letter writing pack, which will give you all the information you need to get started and the details on what will happen next.
Once you receive my letter, what happens?
When they arrive, we read every letter. We then scan the letters - these scanned copies are kept to protect you, our recipients and From Me to You. Once this is complete, we’ll let you know that we have received your letter by sending you an email or dropping you a note in the post.
We then repackage your letter and send it onto what we call our letter outlets. These outlets are hospitals, partner charities, and kind members of NHS staff who then make sure that your letters get to those living with cancer. Many of our letters are also sent to people who have requested one at home.
If you’d like to see the process, take a look at this Instagram reel.
How often should I write?
As often as you would like! We have some writers who may donate every week, some that just write once a year. We would always say go with what works for you.
How much should I write?
You can write as much or as little as you like.
A postcard is great as is 2 sides of A4 paper and everything inbetween. Write the letter or card you would like to receive.
Will I get any information about the people I’m writing to?
We keep this service anonymous, however they will be an adult, living with cancer, either in hospital or at home.
Is there anything I shouldn’t say?
We ask that you don’t give cancer advice, as everyone’s experience is personal; not to mention religion as you don’t know the faith of the recipient; and not to say Get Well Soon as we don’t know the prognosis of your reader.
What sort of thing should I write about?
We have lots of sample letters to inspire you but we generally say that the things we all have in common are the things that resonate best - nature, pets, family, food-stories, love-stories, funny anecdotes, childhood memories.
Should I put my address on the letter?
Again, as this service is anonymous, please don’t put anything in the letter which could identify you. Please avoid using your full name, do not write your address at the top of the letter, or include any information that could be considered personal data.
Instead, please could we ask that you put your full name on a note inside the envelope so we know who has sent the letter(s) so that we can confirm receipt of them with you.
Do I need to put a stamp on it?
No - we package all of the letters up in bulk groups to go out to our partners, hospitals and other distributers, so there is no need to put postage on each letter. However, many of our writers donate stamps with their letters. This greatly helps with our postage costs. All we ask is that you add the stamps loose in your envelope or packet of letters, that way they can be added to our outgoing mail as required.
We suggest, especially if you’ve decorated your envelopes with the beautiful artwork we sometimes see, that you put your letters and cards unsealed in their envelopes in a separate envelope to then post on to us.
Will I be writing to the same person again and again?
No, the letters are distributed randomly and are always given out to different people.
Will they write back?
We don't ask anybody to write back, because we don't want the recipients to feel obliged to write back. That said, we are currently trialling a Thank You service, should recipients want to write back. There will be more news on this in the coming months.