Coronavirus

 

Although regulations have significantly relaxed, we still believe we have a duty of care to our clients and ourselves, therefore although we no longer need to, all staff continue to take a weekly LFD test.

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Our dedicated shopper is still available to do the client's shopping, however we are encouraging and supporting clients to get back out into the community. Support staff now take the majority of our clients to do their weekly shopping, encouraging then where they are still a little nervous.

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Our monthly Tenants' meeting still continues to have Coronavirus as part of the agenda, however this now helps reassure clients.

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How we coped during the Pandemic

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In full compliance with Government guidelines we undertake weekly all-staff testing to ensure the safety of both our clients and staff. When permissible, visiting is conducted in our dedicated Visitors' Pod, with the use of PPE.

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At King Edward House, our Residential Care Home, staff are tested three times a week - one PCR and two LFD tests. 

 

Following consultation with our clients, to further ensure their safety, in March 2020 we implemented a Dedicated Shopper, in addition to online ordering, to respond to all their shopping needs and minimise unnecessary risk. As we are coming out of the worst of the pandemic, clients are being supported - where they choose - to return to some semblance of normality and undertake their own shopping with a support worker.

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All our staff and clients have received all vaccinations and boosters so are fully inoculated against Covid.

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Mental Health 

Throughout the pandemic and the associated Lockdowns, concerns surrounding perceived social isolation and heightened mental health issues came to the fore. Where once our clients enjoyed full and active social lives with their support workers through activities such as visiting friends, discos, coffee out and regular shopping trips, now these were not possible. It became swiftly evident that our clients could suffer a decline in mental health. 

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To maintain contact, we implemented regular contact with those clients and their friends and families who wanted it, through Facebook calling, WhatsApp video calling, Teams and Skype. We still continue this even now that visiting is more readily facilitated.

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With Covid restrictions now being lifted, some of our clients are still a little nervous about venturing out into the community. We have therefore maintained our Dedicated Shopper for those that aren't ready to go shopping yet, while we support them to regain confidence.

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