Celebration as care home in Skegness welcomes first visitors

Meadow Sands on South Parade, like many others in the area, have been unable to allow access to visitors due to Covid-19 restrictions.

However, throughout the pandemic, staff have been vigilant to keep the residents safe.

Cheryl Austin, deputy manager, said: "Everyone has tried to keep the residents spirits up with plenty of activities.

"We have a Tovertafel games table that has been enjoyed by the residents and I think we’re one of very few homes that have this available.

"Staff have been supportive of not only the residents but each other and this has created more of a family feel in the home.

"We have held parties, sang karaoke and jumped around to make the residents laugh, just so they don’t feel too lonely when their families can’t visit.

"We have had a lot of window visits and we have a portal or iPad for FaceTime calls."

Opening to visitors was an emotional day.

"We have opened up under government guidance," said Cheryl. "Family members do a lateral flow test on arrival and once that is negative we ask they put on PPE and sit in the relative's room.

"Staff then escort them from the room and the room is cleaned

"We have had residents with COVID but staff have followed protocol and we have managed to keep any cases isolated.

"We have had no-one pass away from COVID and we feel very fortunate about that as some homes have suffered tremendously with it."

One of the first visitors was Elsie Reeson, visiting her auntie Elsie Tansley.

Elsie Reeson said: "I'm was so exciting to see my auntie after all this time. I'm really pleased with how home has dealt with this pandemic and kept everyone safe."