The year anniversary of the first UK lockdown on Tuesday (23rd March) was marked by employees at a Frome care home firm, with a presentation of goodies to their managers.
Frome’s Family Care Home’s Sharon Welsh (at Belmont Villa Nursing Home), and Melissa Twohig (at Greenhill Grange Residential Home) were handed flowers, a hamper of goodies and champagne after staff had a whip-round.
Ria Rodgers and Jackie Wyatt, who coordinated the presentations simultaneously with staff and residents, said, “Our staff all wanted to do something for our managers. As we all know this has been a very challenging 12 months.
“When we first heard of Covid-19 we were all a little frightened and did not know what to expect. There was also the added worry of keeping safe the residents in our care. As we moved forward there was a huge amount of added work involved – making sure we had enough food supplies, PPE, testing kits, more online forms to complete and much, much more. It was also hard to close the home to visitors, both for residents and family.
“We were all delighted when we had our screen and microphone fitted, so at least residents and family could see and speak to each other in person. Again, this coordination took time and patience.”
The firm is proud it pushed for vaccinations and their homes became the first in Somerset to have two vaccinations for both residents and staff.
Ria and Jackie said, “It is with thanks to Sharon and Melissa we seem to be coming out of this period without any outbreaks. They have worked so hard over the last 12 months in keeping both residents and staff safe. We hope as the situation improves and we come out of lockdown they will be able to have a well-earned break.
“From all the staff at Belmont Villa and Greenhill Grange we would like to say a huge thankyou.”
Sharon said “Today we have all reflected on the past year, the extraordinary challenges we have all faced and making very difficult decisions as small family run care homes the pressure has been immense.
“We have all had to adapt rapidly to new ways of working to rise to the unprecedented demands at theses uncertain times.”
Melissa said, “Sharon and I feel very touched by the generosity of all our staff, their kind words and gifts, we really feel very humbled. This year has been one of the toughest and even thinking back to this time last year feels me with such dread, but we have made it through and brighter days are coming. Without the dedication, hard work and courage of every single one of our staff we could have been in a very different situation than we are today.
“We are very proud of our wonderful, dedicated team.”
