Two young women in London are on a mission to encourage more members of the public to get writing and spread the love as part of a project named ‘The Strive for Happiness’.

The blog was launched in September and has already drawn a cult following through its quirky activities and sunny outlook on life.

Work colleagues, Alice Osborne and Ella Britton, came up with the idea after they discovered a common love for sharing experiences and playfulness through creativity. Outside the office, the blog provides them with the opportunity and space to share the things they love – including writing letters.

One part of the project, ‘Correspondence Monday’ has seen the pair taking to the streets every week asking passers-by on their way to work to join them with pen and paper. Alice and Ella provide the stamps.

“We let people know where we’re going to be via Facebook and Twitter. On the day we’ll have a sign saying ‘We are writing letters – come and join us’,” explained Ella. “And people do.

“It’s a chance for them to take time out and action what they have intending to do for some time, be it a thank you letter or a love letter.”

One recent and memorable encounter saw them approached by an ex-soldier armed with poems that the women helped him turn into letters to send to his friends.

“For me the magic of letters is that they are a true and very personal of saying something to someone. There’s too much email and Facebook activity for me to keep on top of. Letters allow me to stop and take time out. It’s very comforting to know that I can write and it will be well received. Getting a letter through the post lifts people,” explained Ella.

Anna added, “A letter takes time to write so it is content is always well considered. It’s a great way to communicate to those we consider important and love. Letters also have different roles to play at different times in a person’s life.”

A recent workshop saw The Strive for Happiness team helping school children write a letter to themselves in the future. Beyond the simple act of writing the letter, it helped them to focus on what kind of a future they wanted for themselves.

“It’s about encouraging self-belief and that has to be a good thing,” added Alice.

The pair don’t simply encourage letter writing to the living, but to the dead too. The death of Alice’s Nan last year prompted the ‘Writing to Angels’ project, encouraging people to say what they have wanted to say to those that they know are dying, or have passed on.

The scheme is playing a role in the local community with regular sessions taking place at a hospice in east London.

“It can be a very healing process and can really help people to grieve. I knew I had stuff to say to my Nan and was very relieved to get it out share it, to have the opportunity to say what I wanted to say before she died,” Alice revealed.

Less than a year old, it’s still early days for The Strive for Happiness but with Alice and Ella upbeat outlook on life, they are attracting new fans  each day.

“Creating happiness may seem frivolous, but there is scientific proof that says happiness and well-being are very important for a longer life. Knowing that

makes us feel all the better about what we’re doing,” Alice concluded.

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