Coronavirus and Volunteering in Care Homes
This is information for Embracing Age volunteers befriending care home residents across the Borough of Richmond.
Care homes across the Borough have now restricted visits from volunteers and other visitors for the time being, for the welfare and protection of their residents.
Staying Connected
This is a challenging time for care home staff and residents, and we want to support them in any way we can. We encourage volunteers to write to residents and to think of other creative ways to connect with them from a distance and bring some cheer, and connection with the outside world. Please let us know any ideas you have so that we can share them widely.
We have also asked care home managers to let us know if there are other ways that volunteers can help and support as this crisis unfolds.
We are looking at getting funding to buy some android based tablets to enable residents to skype and play online games such as word with friends and scrabble.
Helping the wider community
There may be a need to help local organisations that support isolated older people in their homes, if their volunteer numbers drop as people self isolate. As our volunteers are already DBS checked we are ideally placed to help, so if you would be willing to go on a reserve list for your local neighbourhood care group during this season, to assist with shopping, etc. please let us know.
Of course, we can all look out for local vulnerable neighbours and offer our support. Just make sure you minimise touching, have stringent hand washing, and follow all the other government advice.
Care homes across the Borough have now restricted visits from volunteers and other visitors for the time being, for the welfare and protection of their residents.
Staying Connected
This is a challenging time for care home staff and residents, and we want to support them in any way we can. We encourage volunteers to write to residents and to think of other creative ways to connect with them from a distance and bring some cheer, and connection with the outside world. Please let us know any ideas you have so that we can share them widely.
We have also asked care home managers to let us know if there are other ways that volunteers can help and support as this crisis unfolds.
We are looking at getting funding to buy some android based tablets to enable residents to skype and play online games such as word with friends and scrabble.
Helping the wider community
There may be a need to help local organisations that support isolated older people in their homes, if their volunteer numbers drop as people self isolate. As our volunteers are already DBS checked we are ideally placed to help, so if you would be willing to go on a reserve list for your local neighbourhood care group during this season, to assist with shopping, etc. please let us know.
Of course, we can all look out for local vulnerable neighbours and offer our support. Just make sure you minimise touching, have stringent hand washing, and follow all the other government advice.
