With the current restrictions in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, local charity Prama, who support older people and carers, have taken to the internet to offer alternatives to their PramaLife groups, usually held across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.

As well as a new weekly online quiz, Prama’s Emma Longden has also started reading a chapter at a time of classic novel The Railway Children by E.Nesbit, which is uploaded to the Prama Facebook page daily to be watched at leisure.

The initiative was set up to combat loneliness, especially for older people aged 70 and over, who have been instructed by the government to self-isolate at this time.

Emma, who works on the social media and marketing for Prama, explained why she started recording the videos: ‘I have a neighbour who is in her mid-nineties, who is unable to read a book easily due to severe arthritis. Knowing that reading to myself, and to my three young children, is keeping us occupied and distracted during this time, I wanted to do something to help those who aren’t able to read themselves, for whatever reason. The Railway Children is a lovely story, and one that I hope can be enjoyed by a wide audience.’

You can watch Emma reading on the Prama Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pramacharity/

As well as the PramaLife social groups, Prama also offer care at home through PramaCare and are working hard to assist existing clients and those who need additional support during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find more information about Prama on their website https://www.pramacare.org.uk or by calling the team on 01202 207300.