A WOMAN is bringing people together online to help families have fun while being at home.

Single mum Karen Osenton decided to start a Facebook group called Isolation Fun For Everyone where individuals and businesses can share their crafts, activities and exercises for others to enjoy and participate in.

Ms Osenton came up with the idea as she has a number of chronic conditions which means she has to self-isolate for 12 weeks and wants to make the experience enjoyable.

She said: “I felt alone, frightened and anxious at the prospect of being home on my own, and trying to keep Annie entertained.

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“I knew I would not be alone in feeling this way, so I wanted to do something to help others. I was also aware of the difficulties many companies were now facing. Football coaches, party entertainers, toddler groups etc and I wanted to help.

“So, from my kitchen I set to work creating a Hub that would offer ideas, activities and fun for all the family.”

Nearly 2,500 people have joined the page which Ms Osenton says is a great achievement considering she is very unfamiliar with how Facebook works.

Her four-year-old daughter Annie has been keeping preoccupied with different activities, crafts and workouts that have been posted.

She added: “The response I have received has been overwhelming. I have had hundreds of messages from people thanking me for supporting their business, or offering people a hub to come to in order to connect with people, and bring a smile to their faces.”

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Ms Osenton, who is from Aynho which is just south of Banbury, has Ankylosing Spondylitis and is on Biologic medication to control this which weakens her immune system. She also has a heart condition and chronic asthma.

Members of the group have shared ideas from gardening tips and senior book clubs, to scavenger hunt lists for the house and garden.

Event planning business Come to My Party, which is based in Banbury, is one of the small businesses that it using the group to reach people online.

It has led activities such as balloon modelling where people can learn how to make funny shapes and animals out of balloons.

Another business based in Bicester, Happi Pilates, has let people know in the group that it will be doing pilates classes every Wednesday evening online.

Some of Ms Osenton’s favourite ideas include ‘Project Chemical’ where six-year-old Elijah, from Carterton, presents science projects and experiments that children can do at home; crafts; den making; and wellbeing from qualified counsellors.

Robert Francis has shared stay-at-home football coaching classes and Amber’s Music and Language Lessons allows children to join in with learning French and how to play a musical instrument.

Ms Osenton has also created a Superhero comic strip and booklet in collaboration with Canadian graphic designer, AMIN Designs.

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It helps to inform children about what is going on in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic and explains why they cannot go to school, see their friends and family and why they can no longer play in parks.

She said: “All I wanted to do was to help people as much as possible during this time. I very much hope the Superhero comic will enable children to understand this time.

“I also hope that my group, Isolation Fun For Everyone, can bring people together, offer different activities to all, and support businesses.”

If you are stuck for ideas on how to keep your family entertained during lockdown, search for the group on Facebook.