CARE home residents in Worcester are spreading the joys of reading with the city's children.

Residents at Perry Manor Care Home in Charles Hastings Way were recorded reading popular children's books.

The videos were then shared via the care home's Facebook page as part of National Storytelling Week.

The initiative was designed to encourage children in the community to develop their interest in reading, giving them the opportunity to be read to.

The videos also offered support to children who may have missed out on seeing their own grandparents regularly through Covid.

Over several days, residents took turns to read childhood favourites, including ‘Spot’s Birthday Party’, ‘Spot Bakes a Cake’, ‘Dear Zoo’ and ‘Fox’s Socks’, all ideal for children under six.

Wayne Roberts, a resident at Perry Manor who took part in the initiative, said: "I would do anything for children, so I thought reading out loud was a great idea.

"I hope the videos spread far and wide even beyond our Worcester community."

Katherine Matthews, home manager at Perry Manor, said: "Residents loved putting their reading glasses on to celebrate National Storytelling Week and share some childhood favourites with the local community virtually.

"Reading aloud has many therapeutic benefits for older people, including those living with dementia.

"It can help residents with declining eyesight, while having a soothing effect and giving them an alternative way to communicate.

"It’s also an enjoyable activity that family and friends can do with their loved one when paying them a visit.

"We were pleased to be able to bring families closer together, and we hope our bookish residents have inspired children all over Worcester to dive into their favourite books again or discover new ones – who knows, we may launch a book club for all the generations in the future."

Perry Manor is run by Care UK and provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care as well as short-term respite care.

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, it includes a cinema, cafe and hair salon.

To see the videos, go to www.facebook.com/PerryManorCareHome/videos