LINE dancer Alison Green is doing some nifty footwork to collect festive gifts for people in care homes.

Scarves, socks, chocolates and alcoholic treats are being donated by members of the public to give them a treat in the run up to Christmas.

Alison, 55, has had to put her line dance sessions on hold because of the pandemic so she has taken on the role of activities co-ordinator at The Cedars in Purton.

She said: “I’ve been doing things for care homes on and off for a while. I thought a gift might be a nice gesture. People are helping families so much so we’re giving appreciation to that.

“I feel guilty to keep asking people but I have had lots of things given to me. I understand it’s going to take a lot to cover all the care homes, it’s going to quite difficult.

She explained: “Most donations are unwanted gifts so people have been recycling them, the residents love their chocolate, toiletries and socks, that sort of thing.

“So then we can put it in a gift bag and hopefully personalize it. You have to make best of a bad situation, I would like to cover everyone as people need cheering up, the thought can go a long way.

“My son’s in a care home in Trowbridge so I do understand it from that side of things.

“I will be going to collect the gifts but some people give them to me. I’m hoping to spread a little happiness.

“I just started it and it escalated so I couldn’t do it without the help and support of people. Swindon has been brilliant so thank you.

“People have been lovely and complete strangers have stepped up. There is so much negativity but people are still being brilliant, so they need to know that.

“It’s a community project so the more people that help, the extra care homes we can give to.”

Some volunteers are knitting and crocheting lap blankets for care home residents, but others who have been building bird boxes for them have had to put their work on hold until the spring.

Until the lockdown Alison was able to take some line dancing sessions outside care homes with dancers spaced at three-metre intervals.

She said: “I’ve also been doing line dancing in car parks as we can’t go in. I love going to dance for care homes. But it’s different as it’s restricted but you have to make the best of a bad situation.

“They can’t see family but not everyone has a family. As long as they can see and hear the music through the windows then it means so much and brings back so many memories so that they can enjoy it as long as it’s safe to do.”