The current Coronavirus crisis has helped us all become more aware of the needs and vulnerabilities of our older citizens, and the vital role that staff who care for them play.

Providing the emotional, physical and practical interaction and support older people in our care homes need is rewarding, but it can also be challenging – and never more so than during this worldwide pandemic.

Staff’s professional and unwavering commitment to the residents in our local residential and nursing care homes has continued however, even in the face of such a pervasive threat.

They have proven their dedication and commitment to keeping their residents safe and well in so many ways e.g. covering additional shifts even on their days off because staffing levels are low as a result of some having underlying health problems themselves or being ill; some staff taking on alternative roles to ensure safe staffing levels on shifts e.g. nurses working as care workers on occasions and then covering their own shifts as nurses as well; adapting to the use of personal protection equipment, which flies in the face of the close personal contact they all usually practice in communicating and interacting with all the residents.

They work on a daily basis with the shadow of Coronavirus all around them, and the anxiety this brings inevitably impacts on their own emotional health and wellbeing. It also impacts on their partners and families, who support and live with them.

This low-profile workforce just get on with their jobs, even in these most difficult of circumstances. They don’t receive the attention NHS colleagues get, but do a hugely valuable job, looking after our most vulnerable citizens.

Together, let’s build on the goodwill shown by so many when clapping for frontline workers on Thursdays. Let’s take the next step and demonstrate our appreciation, respect and gratitude to the staff in the 6 care homes within a 3 mile radius of Hillsborough through a donation.

The money raised (hopefully at least £500 for each care home) will be spent on items or activities chosen by staff to mark our appreciation of each of them in the highly valuable work they do. We hope that this acknowledgement and recognition will help support them in continuing to provide the care their residents need in these very challenging times and beyond.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING ALL STAFF WORKING IN RESIDENTIAL & NURSINGCARE HOMES IN OUR COMMUNITY!