Tablet donation helps Kettering and Barton Seagrave care home residents keep connected

Residents at care homes in Kettering and Barton Seagrave have stayed connected with loved ones thanks to a donation of tablets by housebuilding companies Barratt and David Wilson Homes.

The Old Vicarage Residential and Nursing Home in Kettering and Orchard House Care Home in Barton Seagrave each received a Facebook Portal to help residents stay connected.

Sonya Davies, home manager at The Old Vicarage, said: "We are so grateful for the kind and thoughtful donation.

"Although families can ring and chat to their loved ones, it will be so much more comforting and reassuring for both residents and family members to actually see one another.

"Trying to maintain contact is vitally important for everyone’s mental wellbeing. Not all our resident’s understand what is happening in the outside world, we can do our best to reassure them that they are safe, but a familiar face is far more satisfying."

Collette Jones, manager at Orchard House, said: "It is of great importance that families are able to keep in contact with their loved ones as mental wellbeing is crucial to everyday development.

"With this generous gift we can ensure that families, friends and outside world of our cocoon can interact and continue to share a vital connection, reassurance and peace of mind. This has been a truly gratefully received gift."

The donation was part of Barratt Developments' (the parent company of Barratt and David Wilson Homes) response to coronavirus.

It has donated over £100,000 to NHS Charities so far and donated items such as PPE and hand sanitizer.

Jason Hearn, sales director at Barrat and David Wilson Homes South Midlands, said: "As the UK prepares to move into the ‘new normal’ we are aiming to continue to support care homes with technology to help residents feel connected to their families at all times."

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you