With people over 70 being asked to self-isolate, there are concerns that older people will get lonely, as they can’t see any family and friends.
Surrey-based care home group CHD Living launched the adopt a grandparent scheme last year, where people can volunteer to spend some time with one of their residents.
But with people no longer able to meet older people face to face, they’ve taken it online – and they need volunteers.
The campaign, which originally saw CHD Living pair elderly residents from across their 13 Surrey and South London based care homes with local children and adults who don’t have or see grandparents of their own, is now welcoming new applicants from across the UK as ‘virtual volunteers’.
Virtual volunteers will use technology to provide stimulation and companionship via regular video calls.
Each CHD Living Home will get a Facebook Portal TV to help.
Drawings, letters and poetry from the public are also being welcomed as part of the initiative to brighten residents’ days, with the group looking to get as many children involved as possible during current school closures.
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Shaleeza Hasham, Head of Hospitality, Communications & Commissioning at CHD Living, said: ‘The nature of care means that we’re looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society at the moment.
‘It’s a worrying time and we’re taking the threat of coronavirus incredibly seriously, putting stringent processes and protocols in place to protect our residents as much as possible.
‘We are however keen to keep spirits in the homes high and so have been thinking of ways that we can continue to enrich the lives of our residents whilst providing them with stimulation and companionship.
‘It made sense at this time to digitise the Adopt a Grandparent campaign and to recruit further volunteers who might like to help keep our residents company over the coming weeks. It will be a wonderful distraction for everyone involved.
You can enrol for the scheme online now.
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