A GROUP of care home residents with dementia have taken part in their first virtual class to enjoy craft activities.

The five ladies in their 90s at the Eachstep Blackburn Care Home went online to make mice out of fondant, spiced up with a singalong.

The session was taken by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Adult Learning team led by dementia specialist Lynette Banister.

The aim of the craft activities was not only to provide fun and entertainment but also help their long-term memory gain through reminiscing, and practical activities to support their motor skills.

Joanie-Lee Gleeson, activities co-ordinator for the care home, said: “It’s been amazing for the people we support to be a part of this first activity session. We are truly grateful for this opportunity. We can’t wait to do more over the following weeks.”

Ms Banister said:“For me, it was that sensation of warmth that was coming out of the group. It was almost as if someone had switched a light-bulb on for everybody and when you think some of these people are 90-plus with diagnoses of dementia, to see how they were all so engrossed in learning again was amazing.”

Cllr Mustafa Desai, the council's adult services boss, said: “Staff in care homes have been working extra hard to keep residents’ spirits up while they aren’t able to see their families. I’m proud our Adult Learning team recognised how they could support both residents and staff by running creative craft sessions to give residents something different."