A Burnham-on-Sea care home is opening its doors to the public in a bid to tackle loneliness.

Staff at The Towans Care Home in Berrow Road will be launching a new group later this month called ‘Mate a mate Monday’ where members of the community who are struggling with loneliness can come the home and enjoy activities.

The group will be run on the last Monday of every month and will be free to attend.

Jo Boobyer, activities co-ordinator at The Towans, said staff were inspired to start the initiative after hearing from the public that an increasing number of people were lonely at Christmas.

She said: “We’ve been hearing a lot about people being lonely at Christmas.

“However, people are not only at Christmas but throughout the year.

“So we have decided to open our doors on the last Monday of the month and anyone is welcome to join us for ‘Make a mate Monday.’

“We are lucky to have regular activities at The Towans on Monday to Friday so we want to offer people that are on their own the chance to come and join us for tea, cakes and an activity or two.

“They will have the chance to make friends, enjoy our hospitality and get out of the house an interact with people.”

Jo said she hopes the group will help lonely people in the community to socialise and places for the group’s first meeting are filling up fast.

“Our first group will take place on Monday, January 27 between 2pm and 4pm,” Jo added.

“Please come and join us, find a friend and have a giggle.

“If you want to see some of things we get up to please feel free to look at our Facebook page.

“We have lots of activities here.

“As a small independent home we have limited space, so we ask if anyone is interested ring first on 01278782642 to make sure places are available and this is free of charge.”