Staff from Derbyshire County Council are helping older people to stay in touch with their families through the internet.

Care homes aren’t currently open to visitors so laptops have been given to care homes and staff trained to help residents call family and friends on Skype to stay in touch.

Castle Court in Swadlincote is one of the homes where residents have been having online conversations. The daughter of one resident said thanked staff for the experience, saying that her mum had been much more responsive with lots of laughter and conversation, and that they had been able to show her photographs of her new great grand-daughter.

The project is continuing to ensure that families can stay in touch during the lockdown period.