Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow has launched a scheme aimed at reconnecting people who live in care homes with their communities.

Mr Burstow launched Friends and Neighbours (FaNs) last week. The project will work with community organisations to help care home residents get out and enjoy the area they live in.

He launched the initiative as part of his work leading a year-long Government inquiry into the future of residential care. The findings will be published later this year.

Mr Burstow said: "Care homes thrive when they are part of the community.  The secret of great care is the quality of the relationships people have.

"FaNs is a great way of engaging more people in the life of care homes. It helps to ensure that people living in care homes feel connected to their neighbourhood and able to take and feel part of everyday life."