IT is time to start writing those special Christmas cards for kindness.

The popular heart-warming winter campaign encouraging people to send Christmas cards to residents in local care homes was launched last week. 

Now in its fifth year, the Cards for Kindness campaign aims to tackle loneliness and isolation in care homes across the area.

All you need is a Christmas card and postage stamp and you can write a message for residents in your local care home to help spread the festive cheer.

The campaign grows each year and this year even more community groups are taking part, designing their own homemade cards.

And card, like puppies, are not just for Christmas. There are plenty of other times of year when cards could be sent including Easter and from holiday destinations visited.

These cards of kindness not only make people feel less alone but, for many,  they will start conversations that will stimulate the elderly and give them a chance to discuss their memories of the past.