Every week, we at the Times & Star help you to shine a light on the unsung heroes within our communities.

From setting up support groups and checking on neighbours to hosting street-wide, socially-distanced concerts and getting the whole village singing together, we’ve seen you do it all over the past few months.

And there’s one caring team who haven’t let a pandemic stop the spring in their step, with our People of the Week at Kirkland’s Care Home.

The team were nominated by many people for their never-ending cheer and support, and making their residents smile every single day.

Each staff member has thrown themselves into working long hours, looking after residents and keeping each other's spirits high during the difficult time, particularly through creating TikToks together and helping the elderly to video chat their loved ones.

Those behind the nominations said: "The staff team are working hard to reassure the vulnerable service users which they work with every day and trying to give them some form of normality during this time.

"All of the staff's families and friends are so proud of the work they have done."

Spirit-lifting activities organised by staff include afternoon tea on VE Day, team member Sharon Small dressing as the Easter Bunny, volunteers Brian Moore and Yvonne Simmonds decorating the garden for residents to sit out in and enjoy the sunshine, activity coordinator Marjorie James doing residents' hair to keep them looking pretty, and so much more.

Commenting on the team's nomination, care assistant Nathan Caine said: "It's really sweet and nice to know that people appreciate what we do!

"We just do it all because we love the job, love what we do and love who we work with. It may be hard for us sometimes, but it's harder for our residents, and we all want to do what we can to help them feel normal and enjoy themselves."

Kirklands manager, Naomi Hodgson, was also delighted, and said: "I would like to say a big thank you to all our staff at Kirklands for pulling together and continuing to provide a excellent level of care at this time, in difficult circumstances.

"I know a lot of staff have had concerns about coming to work during this time, but they have left any fears at the door and carried on as normal as possible, ensuring that the safety of our residents comes first.

"I would also like to say a big thank you to all of our residents and their families for supporting us and being so understanding at this time, and also the local community for all their support and donations.”

Big supporters of the care home include; James Walker & Co ltd, who donated facial visors; Liza Ferguson who donated hand sanitizer; Unite B30 at Sellafield, which donated face masks gowns and gloves; Graham Iredale who donated face visors; Kirkland’s laundry assistant Mandy Hodgson and her daughter Danielle, who hand-knitted ear protectors for all staff; Shills of Cockermouth, who donated chocolate; and Shauna Cunningham, who donated food parcels.

n Help us to spread some joy across Allerdale by sending in your nominations, with details of where they’re from, what they do, and why they deserve a round of applause, to emma.walker@newsquest.co.uk.