A CREWE care home is encouraging its residents to gaze at the stars after launching an astronomy club.

The group for older people and those living with dementia was made possible by donations from the public after residents at Belong Crewe posed as life models for a calendar last year.

The Astronomy Club has recruited residents at the Brookhouse Drive care village to use their senses and reminisce over space exploration through stargazing, arts and crafts, as well as virtual tours at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.

Encouraging reminiscence is a proven approach in helping to slow the progression of dementia.

Residents are also enjoying NASA documentaries, topical discussions and sharing personal memories, transporting them back to the space race era.

Jess Butler, experience coordinator at Belong Crewe, said: "Engaging our residents in activities that inspire their interests is key to our ethos at Belong. When we found out a number of them were keen astronomy enthusiasts, we set to work planning an astronomy club and asked the people of Crewe for their help."

To raise funds for the project residents at the CQC outstanding-rated care home posed as real-life models for iconic calendar portraits which included the works of Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Van Gogh.

When news of their efforts spread, high-spec telescope and binoculars were donated by members of the public, launching the project to success.

Belong Crewe Manager Kathryn Farmer said: "Our Astronomy Club has got off to a great start and it's down to the generosity of our community that our residents have the tools to enjoy learning about outer space. For that, we are grateful to everyone who donated, their kindness is truly out of this world."