A care home has launched an ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ campaign to help tackle loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic.
CHD Living in Surrey started the scheme last year but is now rolling it out digitally as anyone over the age of 70 is being able to strictly follow the social distancing rules.
This means they must avoid social interaction, including seeing their family and friends.
While essential to keep them safe and stop the spread of coronavirus, it risks leaving many older people who live by themselves lonely.
To tackle this, the care home will be pairing young people with their elderly residents to "bring a sense of comfort to young people and the elderly who may not have grandparents/grandchildren of their own, with the aim to create invaluable, lifelong friendships".
The volunteer will video call the resident they've been paired up with regularly, in the aim of providing mental stimulation and remote companionship.
Shaleeza Hasham, head of communications and commissioning at CHD Living, said: "The nature of care means that we’re looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society at the moment.
"It’s a worrying time and we’re taking the threat of coronavirus incredibly seriously, putting stringent processes and protocols in place to protect our residents as much as possible.
"We are however keen to keep spirits in the homes high and so have been thinking of ways that we can continue to enrich the lives of our residents whilst providing them with stimulation and companionship."
"It made sense at this time to digitise the Adopt a Grandparent campaign and to recruit further volunteers who might like to help keep our residents company over the coming weeks. It will be a wonderful distraction for everyone involved."
In March alone, the scheme racked up 36 new sign-ups, and is still looking for more people who would like to fill their time in a rewarding way.
And the sign up process it relatively simple.
The form asks you for your name, age and nearest town - so they can match you with a care home nearby - as well as where you heard about the campaign, why you'd like to help out and three of your interests.
The care home is also welcoming drawings, letters and poetry from the public to brighten residents' days.