HUNDREDS of care home residents were brought a touch of joy when they received letters wrote to them by students.

Children at New Rickstones Academy, in Witham took part in the TES Classroom to Care Homes letter campaign to help tackle feelings of loneliness.

A total of 700 letter were distributed to care home residents across the town.

Head of English, Matt Davies said: "It was a wonderful way to show people in care homes who have not been able to see their families due to lockdown that they have not been forgotten.

“We asked students what they would write to someone who was not able to be with their loved ones during special times of year, such as Christmas.

"They wrote letters about themselves, they told jokes, they explained what they were doing in school, made cards and included photos of their pets.

“It was really wonderful to see so many students getting involved. They gained a real sense of community from taking part.

"They understand that we are all going through the same set of circumstances; that we are all beholden to this pandemic and that we are all in it together. They were eager to show they understood the problems everyone is facing.

“We often think students do things because we are telling them to, but this project shows they are willingly playing their part in keeping their community safe and happy.”

Year 11 student Rebecca said the project helped her think about people 'beyond her circle'.

She said: "Writing to those who might have been lonely taught me to think about people beyond my own circle. I write cards to friends, but have never thought of writing to an unknown person before.

"It is definitely something I will do again. It’s just a nice thing to do, isn't it? To think of others."