CARE home residents have been sharing messages and advice for youngsters as they prepare to move onto secondary school.

Residents of Elmhurst residential care home in Ulverston sent messages of advice to the Year 6 children from Croftlands Junior School who finished their primary schooling yesterday and embark on six weeks of summer fun before starting secondary school in September.

Cathy Styles, headteacher at Croftlands Junior School, said: “We have a link with Elmhurst that we set up in 2019.

“Until Covid, a group of our children visited Elmhurst regularly for activities in partnership with their service users. They read together, painted together etc. They also started to come to our school productions.

“Since March 2020 we have maintained the link with letters, cards, joint activities and we are hoping to be able to visit again we can do it safely.”

Leaving primary school can be a daunting experience for the 10- and 11-year-olds so to receive message from friends they made at Elmhurst care home was said to have given them a heartwarming feeling.

Elmhurst's registered manager Karen Shepherd said: “Residents have really enjoyed receiving letters, cards and artwork from their young friends at Croftlands.

"It has been great to keep the connection to the community through this link during the pandemic.

“We really look forward to the messages, which have been incredibly heart-warming and kind. They have really lifted spirits during such a difficult time.

“As the pupils at Croftlands will be moving on soon, the residents wanted to share some advice and kind thoughts, wishing them well on their next steps.

“The residents always really appreciate receiving kind messages which is why we have joined the 'Cards for Kindness' campaign, encouraging people to share a postcard with a resident from a day out or local holiday.”