Kind-hearted College students have written cards to care home residents in self-isolation amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Health and social work professions and childcare students at Nelson and Colne College Group have written cards of kindness to East Lancashire care home residents.

The initiative allowed the students at Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College to bring out their artistic flair, by creating the colourful handmade cards.

Full of touching, personal messages, they have now been gratefully received by elderly residents in local care homes.

The students wanted to raise a smile while many care homes are restricting the number of visitors, or not allowing visitors at all, due to the risk of spreading the coronavirus disease to residents.

This is at a time when Age UK figures show in normal circumstances that 200,000 older people have not had a conversation with friends or family for a month.

Health and Social Work Professions student Jess Bannister, 16, formerly of Blessed Trinity RC College, said: “We don't want anyone to feel alone during this difficult time and the cards made me feel like I was making a positive contribution to local communities.

“By offering our support to those who may be feeling down and lonely, it is supporting our Health and Social Care learning, and understanding how people are feeling in this situation will help me become a better professional in the future.”

Amanda Boyer, Curriculum Leader for Health and Social Work Professions, said: “Empathy is a key quality taught within our curriculum and I’m thrilled that our students were so eager to demonstrate this through their lovely cards to care homes.

“The cards were full of good wishes, positive messages and happy thoughts, and I hope that they have managed to bring a smile to residents’ faces and reduced loneliness during these uncertain times.”

Residents at Springhill Care Home in Accrington, Favordale Home for Older People in Colne, and Eaves Hall Rest Home and Heather Grange Care Home in Burnley have received the cards.