RESIDENTS of care homes around Shropshire, including St Martins day centre, have been enjoying Christmas activity packs from Age UK.

Since March, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin have been sending monthly themed activity packs funded by the Coop Community Fund to our day centre members and dementia support groups.

Visitors to St. Martin's day centre near Oswestry have enjoyed the activity packs, particularly last month; singing along to song sheets and even joining in online quizzes.

With Christmas on its way and now a new lockdown, staff and volunteers are preparing their next Christmas themed activity pack to post and email to local older people in the hope to boost their spirits during this difficult time.

Loppington Knitters are one of the key groups involved with the activity packs, hand making more than 200 Christmas coasters as a little gift for all the older people who receive the festive packs.

Heather Osborne, chief executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, hoped the packs would be well received.

"Our staff and volunteers are always keeping the needs of older people at the forefront of their minds," she said. "The activity packs are a great way of providing opportunities to partake in shared activities.

"It's important to maintain daily hobbies and activities to help mental wellbeing.

"We really hope the activities we have sent will offer some support during this difficult time."