A COMMUNITY larder benefited from donations made by residents, staff, family and friends of a West Moors care home.

At Brook View, in West Moors, non-perishable food items were collected ahead of Random Acts of Kindness Day, when they were presented to the nearby Castleman Community Larder, which helps families struggling with food poverty.

Brook View’s Companionship Team leader, Lauren Parrett, handed over the large collection of items, including tinned goods, pasta and cereals, to larder manager Michelle Bennett.

Lauren said: “Once our residents learned what the larder does and the importance it has for families in need in our community, they knew they wanted to help the team there on Random Acts of Kindness Day.

“We are so grateful to our staff, relatives, friends and visitors for enabling us, through their donations, to give something special back to our community.”

Brook View resident, Sybil Conner, said: “In these times, I wouldn’t have thought food banks would be necessary but then it goes to show how communities pull together for people who need that support.”

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Thanking all at Brook View, Michelle said: “We want people to know they can shop within the larder and feel supported by the community.”

Among Kindness Day initiatives at other Colten Care homes, residents at Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst and Canford Chase in Poole handed out gift bags to local people while a team of knitters at Amberwood House, Ferndown, made blankets for a medical charity.

Poetry was the order of the day at Bourne View in Poole, with positive, inspiring messages in verse being shared among residents, staff, relatives and friends.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is an annual celebration that began in Denver, Colorado, in 1995 and has since spread worldwide. Its aim is to inspire people to spread kindness and positivity and be more compassionate and caring.