Member Article

Southampton care home residents receive £1,000 boost from housebuilders after year of isolation

A care home in Hampshire has received vital financial support from Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes after a challenging year.

Speedwell Court in Southampton is one of many purpose-built Abbeyfield care homes for older people in the country, which provides residential and dementia-friendly care services to its residents.

The Abbeyfield Society is the charity bringing high-quality accommodation such as this to the UK and internationally. It is the charity’s care homes that have had been particularly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, not just financially, but emotionally too.

Care home residents have experienced distance from family, which has in many cases been detrimental to their mental health. Abbeyfield’s care workers have had to get creative to help residents stay connected whilst also staying safe, and have facilitated outdoor and screened visits, and visiting ‘hubs’ where residents can talk to their loved ones safely. Speedwell Court has also maximized use of their gardens, ensuring that residents are able to enjoy the fresh air outdoors.

Deborah Holmes is the Customer Relations Manager at Speedwell Court. She said: “We’ve wanted to purchase garden equipment to kit out our new greenhouse and a rotavator that will be used to make an allotment space for our residents. Gardening, and being outside, is widely recognised as a brilliant way to maintain good mental and physical health.”

The exceptional care demonstrated by Abbeyfield prompted Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes to step in and give its support via the leading UK housebuilders’ Community Fund Scheme, which donates £1,000 to worthy causes in the region each month.

Deborah added: “We are very grateful to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for this incredible support, and look forward to seeing our residents enjoying their new equipment.”

Tammy Bishop, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Southampton Division, said: “It has taken a lot of extra effort for care homes like Speedwell Court to keep their residents safe and occupied during the pandemic, and with restrictions on visits, the isolation must have been extremely difficult for some.

“It is wonderful that charities like Abbeyfield have gone above and beyond to ensure they can still offer a caring and supportive environment in such a challenging time, and they truly deserve our support.”

As well as residential and dementia friendly care homes, Abbeyfield also provide independent living accommodation, supported housing and care at home across the country.

The Barratt and David Wilson Homes Community Fund is a dedicated financial resource that helps to support local causes which improve the quality of life for those living in the region.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .