Senior residents at a retirement home in Walthamstow have worked hard to organise their first day trip since the start of the lockdown last March. 

Twelve of the residents from Monoux Almshouses, Church End went along on the trip to help overcome their fears of Covid and isolation after spending time shielding in the home.

They took it upon themselves to raise money by selling their old items to fund the trip. They now hope to make the trips a regular occurrence.

The residents set off using Community transport and arrived at Broxborne, they stopped off for a coffee in the shade before heading onto a boat. They travelled along the River Lea and enjoyed fish and chips on board. 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Residents enjoying their fish and chipsResidents enjoying their fish and chips

Monoux Almshouses resident, Mary Fahey, 78 said: “It was a joyful day. It was lots of work to put together, but it was more than worth it.  

“These past couple of years have been hard on everyone here as we have been shielding through the pandemic and haven’t been on a day out in two years.  

"We have been out but only for coffee in the gardens with our masks on, this had been a completely different experience." 

“I am hoping to make this an annual day out for us we need more days like this.”