A LOCAL care provider has been treating its service users to Afternoon tea packages in a bid to give them a lockdown boost.

Care Connect Bury Ltd has been supporting its vulnerable service users so that they can remain safely at home during the pandemic.

The tea packages were funded by Bury Council's Innovation fund, which has been supporting innovative ways for businesses to operate and provide services.

Care Connect's managing director Sher Khan said: “All the Care Staff have gone above and beyond in maintaining a care service to our vulnerable service users. I am hugely grateful to these Care Staff and all the front-line office staff at Care Connect Bury Ltd who have continued to play a massive role in supporting all our vulnerable service users to remain safely at home during these unprecedented times.

"I am also hugely grateful for the support Bury Council have given in providing daily information and guidance in dealing with COVID-19 and the additional financial support they have provided in maintaining our care services”

"The fund has helped us put together this special treat for our vulnerable service users, while times have been difficult, they have not been able to see family and friends.

"The Afternoon Cream Tea Box of Delights was suggested by Shirley our Human Resources Officer and who baked the scones."

The boxes included a scone, lemon drizzle cake, shortbread biscuits, cheese and crackers, a Slattery chocolate coin, a tub of rice pudding, a coffee sachet, Twinnings tea and a sparkling alcohol free wine.

Mr Khan added: “ I would like to say a big thank you to the Pupils of St Stephens Primary School (Bury) and Pupils from Church High School (Bury) who have contributed by writing letters with illustrations to lift the spirits of our service users.

"Finally a thank you to Dunster Farm for providing the items that have gone in to make the cream tea boxes”

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Care providers and charities know exactly where funds will make a difference to their clients and it’s important to have the flexibility to innovate and make that difference to people’s lives, especially during this period where people have had to isolate and change their lives significantly.

"It’s great to see Care Connect using our Innovation Funding to make that difference.”