An Ely care home has launched a photography project to celebrate the life and history of its residents.

The project, titled ‘Hands’, was inspired by a conversation between a member of staff and a long-term resident of Lily House Care Home recalling her life’s experience.

To mark Valentine’s Day, staff began taking pictures of the hands of all the home’s residents and included a brief passage to highlight a section of their life story.

Joanne Swift, an activities coordinator at Lily House Care Home said: “The project is still a work in progress but came about while I was sitting holding the hand of one of our ladies and chatting to her about life.

“It’s important to remember that before coming to Lily House the residents raised families, had jobs, served in the Forces, and even travelled the world. These might be tired, old and worn hands, but what a story they have to tell.

“This has been a wonderful project to work on and as an activities coordinator, I feel I’m in a very privileged position to have the time to sit and really get to know our residents and their families.”

Throughout February, pictures have been added to the care home’s Facebook page, with more images displayed around the walls of the visitor’s reception for families to enjoy.

The project includes the hands of residents who are more than 100-year-old, those with 12 grandchildren, those who made hospital supplies during the World War Two and even those who worked as carers themselves.

She added: “A project like this helps us, as a care home, to provide person centred care, as we learn about the people our residents were before they came in to our care.

“It enables me to continue to create a varied and interest range of weekly activities based on previous hobbies they had.”