To combat loneliness and keep spirits up, Port of Leith Housing Association in Edinburgh has set up more ways to keep people connected.

 Manager Maureen Combe said: “We’ve introduced a few new things that are working really well. We send packs to our tenants three times a week with activities to keep their minds active. We include quizzes, puzzles, jokes to keep people smiling and gentle exercise routines to keep people moving.”

 The service has also started delivering birthday cakes and cards outside people’s doors and staff come along, socially distancing of course, to sing happy birthday. Watch a video where tenants came out in force to celebrate Eva’s birthday here.

 The tenants are huge supporters of the NHS and take part in the ‘Clap for carers’ each Thursday and clap and cheer from their windows. They made a big banner too which hangs from one of the schemes.

 Maureen continues: “Our housing officers make regular courtesy calls to our over 65s to check in and see if anyone needs any particular support and are on hand to give advice and just have a chat. We’ve had excellent feedback from our tenants and families and we’re thinking about making a memory book or quilt after things get back to normal to remember all the positives during this difficult time.”