A SOCIAL care charity has brought a bit of magic into the lives of older people in Ellesmere Port.

Tenants at extra care housing schemes Hollymere and Hartley Place have been trying out a new piece of technology called the Happiness Programme which aims to increase physical and mental wellbeing.

Using interactive light projections, the Happiness Programme encourages movement and interaction through activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, stargazing, colouring in pictures, sweeping leaves, chasing fish, word games and general knowledge quizzes.

Light can also be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls, a whiteboard or even a bed, transforming everyday environments into playful and gently stimulating spaces.

Service manager Rachel Horton said: "We have just received the equipment and we’re so excited to start using it at Hollymere and Hartley Place.

“It’s been wonderful to see a number of our residents starting to explore the wide variety of games and projections the Happiness Programme provides, such as bubble popping, quizzes, car racing and sensory scenes.”

Using the Happiness Programme claims to improves mood and behaviours, increase physical, social and cognitive activity, reduce the need for antipsychotic medications and bring positive impacts on relationships with care staff, friends and family.

National adult health & social care charity Making Space, which provides flexible care at both schemes, secured a grant from the Francis Winham Foundation to pay for the technology for 12 months.