A mother who quit her job to help lonely care home residents is “thrilled” after raising over £30,000 from public donations in just one month.

Louise Goulden of Walthamstow set up The Together Project to give pensioners, many of whom receive no visitors, the chance to interact with children in their communities.

The 37-year-old reconsidered her career as a marketing director after giving birth to her son Heath last year, and decided to “take a leap of faith” towards her dream job.

She believes the huge response is down to people “seeing the value” in how children can bring joy to the elderly who in turn can teach them valuable lessons.

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“With everything that is going on in the world at the moment, I think there’s a real desire for heart-warming stories,” said the mother-of-one.

“Bringing young children and old isolated people together which brings so much joy and happiness touches a real nerve with people.

“Something quite a few people have said to me is there’s a feeling we are very divided by age in this country.

“People have said to me, my child didn’t get to see his great-grandmother who lives 100 miles away.

“I have enjoyed my career a lot and I have met great people and learned loads but actually doing something where I can see the direct impact myself - it feels incredibly rewarding.”

After setting up a crowdfunding page, Ms Goulden’s initial target was £20,000 but that was quickly raised to £30,000 when support started pouring in.

After just four weeks, £31,500 was raised and a grant from Waltham Forest Council brought the figure to £35,000.

Ms Goulden has been leading a small group of parents and babies for Songs & Smiles weekly sessions in Ross Wyld Care Home, Forest Road, Walthamstow since July.

She now wants to extend the classes to more care homes across Waltham Forest and plans to branch out to other parts of London in 2018 and eventually nationwide.

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Ms Goulden's son Heath plays with care home resident Kathleen.

And she has words of advice for parents considering a change of career who may be worried about the risks involved.

“Just go for it and be realistic as well,” she said.

“I didn’t know if this was going to work but if it turned out that way that is not a bad thing.

“The key is to always ask for help. You are not going to be able to do everything on your own.”

Cllr Clare Coghill, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “I am delighted to support this great project.

“It’s important for the residents of care homes to meet young children and enjoy their youthful enthusiasm and it’s important for children to learn from older people and their wisdom.

“A huge well done to Louise Goulden and the volunteers who’ve already worked so hard on this idea.”

Ms Goulden will be recruiting a number of volunteers to help run Songs & Smiles sessions across the borough in the coming weeks.

For more information on The Together Project click here.