RESIDENTS at a Droitwich care home were delighted when they were able to see their family again in person for the first time in months.
Since March those living at Ravenstone have been keeping in touch with their families virtually because visits to the home had been restricted to ensure the safety of residents.
Now, thanks to the latest lifting of lockdown restrictions, one relative at a time is able to visit their loved ones in the home’s garden, while adhering to social distancing requirements.
One of the residents who has enjoyed an afternoon in the sun with her family member is 89-year-old Audrey Prince.
Audrey was born in Bearwood and during her life was an audio typist in valuation with the Inland Revenue and she also worked in pubs.
Audrey was a keen reader and once had 3,500 books in her house. She also enjoys crochet, which she learned in an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
Audrey said: “It’s lovely to have visitors in the garden and I have very much enjoyed seeing friends and family.
“The garden visits provide me with a great opportunity to see people.
“It will be great when everything is back to ‘normal’ but we have all managed very well over recent months and I have been content.”
Audrey’s daughter Hilary Overington said: “It’s brilliant that mum can have visitors at the home again.
“I always look forward to going to see her, and it was great to see and hear how well she has been keeping.”
Cathy Fickling, quality manager at Ravenstone care home, said: “Being able to welcome back families to Ravenstone was a long-awaited day by us all.
“Though we have done our very best to keep everyone in touch virtually, being able to spend time with each other in person again has been priceless for our residents and their relatives.
“We’re blessed to have a spacious garden to host a family member at a safe distance, and look forward to seeing more faces very soon.”
Visits to the home are subject to a series of strict infection control criteria, including temperature checks on arrival and wearing the correct PPE, which can be provided.
Ravenstone care home forms part of Larchwood Care, managed by Healthcare Management Solutions.
