Office workers volunteered to bring Christmas cheer to a care home in London’s deprived East End by putting up their decorations and making mince pies.

Staff from City Index financial services gave up their office party to cheer up the residents at Bethnal Green’s Silk Court.

“It’s the small things that can mean the world, when people take the time to just come and have a chat with our residents,” Silk Court’s manager Marcia Forsythe said. “It’s fantastic having support from the City volunteers and for them to be part of our little community.”

The idea of Christmas party volunteering came from TimeBank, a volunteering charity which encourages companies to get their employees involved in the community to celebrate Christmas.

TimeBank’s Helen Walker said: “Lots of companies have found Christmas party budgets don’t go very far and have been looking to do something alternative, unusual, affordable and much more fun than the average office do.

“So we came up with the idea of getting together with their staff for a few hours’ volunteering.”

The Silk Court home in Ivimey Street has 50 presidents and offers 24-hour care, including help with dementia.