A CARE home encouraged residents to send messages of love as they became isolated from family members and loved ones.

The residents of Sweyne Court Care Home, in Hockley Road, Rayleigh penned heart-felt messaged to their loved ones on boards in order to keep in touch during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Elderly residents at the care home said it was a nice way to reach out to their families.

A care home spokesman said: “Due to the Coronavirus we have had no choice but to go on lock down, this has made families extremely distressed due to not being able to visit relatives.

“We have taken pictures of our residents with their messages for the families.

“The amount of joy and happiness this has passed to love ones is absolutely outstanding. Showing the members of the different families their relatives looking well and happy has meant a lot and put a lot of minds at rest.”

The care home said the residents really enjoyed the new ways to communicate with family.