Video calls, newsletters and high teas - the Jarrow care home working round the clock to keep residents safe and happy during lockdown

Government measures to protect the most vulnerable in our communities during the coronavirus pandemic have meant that care homes are no longer able to receive visitors.

But Palmersdene Care Home on Grange Road West, Jarrow, is doing everything it can to combat feelings of loneliness.

Using Facebook and WhatsApp video calls, staff are helping residents to see and speak to their loved ones safely during this difficult time.

The home is also continuing to put on a range of activities from art classes to birthday celebrations.

Home manager Maureen McCulloch said: “We are all holding up very well here at Palmersdene.

“We have no confirmed staff or residents with Covid-19 at present and are following the guidelines set out by Public Health.

“We are doing our best to ensure the customers are having regular interaction with their families and friends via Facebook portal and WhatsApp video calling.

“We are carrying on with our daily activities and staff are doing everything in their power to keep things as normal as possible, having entertainment by Wor Vera out in the garden to ensure social distancing.”

And families are also able to get involved with the activities from a safe distance, as the home is making boxes of high tea for relatives of the residents to collect to mark VE Day.

Palmersdene staff are even making a newsletter to send out to the family members of residents so they can see how happy their loved ones are.

Those in the community are also looking out for the staff in the home who have received a donation of headbands to secure their face masks more comfortably.

Maureen continued: “We have just received a delivery from a lovely girl Sonya Gregg who with her friend Anita is making them for the staff free.

“It is so painful around the ears, wearing the masks for long period during the day.

“I would like to say a huge thank you from my staff and myself.

“The headbands have buttons on each side which the mask hooks onto instead of the ear.”

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