IT was smiles all round as care home residents celebrated Friendship Day with a host of heartwarming activities.

Leeming Bar Grange residents marked the day by making friendship bracelets as presents for each other and to give to local children who had missed out on birthday parties during the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents also spent the day reminiscing about old friends and telling tales of new friendships made within the home.

They read friendship poems about the importance of friends and how they can enrich your life.

Michelle Keep, general manager said, “Everyone at Leeming Bar Grange was keen to get involved in Friendship Day’s celebrations.

"It was really nice to hear all the stories of resident friendships within our home and what a positive impact this has on everyone’s wellbeing.”

The International Day of Friendship on July 30 was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.