A CAMPAIGN hoping to bring a smile to local care home residents this Christmas has launched.

Cards for Kindness, a campaign to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people by sending Christmas cards to care homes, begins on December 1 with more than 100 care homes taking part.

There are more than 11,000 people living in the region's care homes and because of Covid-19 and the restrictions in place, some residents are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation more than ever.

Talib Yaseen OBE, executive director of transformation from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “Cards for Kindness is a wonderful way to spread a little Christmas spirit by sending a festive greetings card to people living in our local care homes.

“Cards for Kindness is a joint project, with local authority, NHS, education and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations working together to reduce loneliness of care home residents.

“We know that Cards for Kindness has made a big impact in previous years with residents and staff telling us how much joy the cards have brought and how they have sparked nostalgic conversations about Christmases gone by.”

Addresses of all the care homes involved and instructions on how to take part are available at: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CardsForKindness.

Those sending Christmas cards are encouraged to share their experience on social media using #CardsForKindness.