CHILDREN of Wee County-based care staff have been drawing pictures and making cards for the elderly to bring smiles to faces during the difficult coronavirus lockdown.

Families of Mears care workers, who support locals to remain living independently at home, are helping to connect with service users in new ways after social distancing rules came into force.

Susan McCormack, manager in Clackmannanshire, said: "This week has been a challenge for all of us.

"Our support staff had to make new arrangements around the ways they provide support, including social distancing, and we had to try harder to connect in other ways.

"Given school closures, we asked our staff to ask their children or grandchildren to write a letter, make a card or draw a picture for the elderly in our community to show something positive in a really difficult time.

"It's just a small connection with the outside world that can mean a lot in the long days ahead."

And there has been absolutely brilliant response so far.

Susan added: "The response from local children has been fantastic and the result is that those service users who have been fortunate to receive a card or a drawing, have asked that these cards and pictures keep coming in.

"We will ensure that we do our bit to keep tackling loneliness."

Headquartered in Alloa, Mears Care Scotland has 20 branches and more care workers are needed to join the team at this challenging time, call 01259 768 621 to apply, mandatory training will be given.

Susan said: "We are facing unprecedented challenges and increasing isolation as Covid-19 has turned the world as we know it upside down.

"We are not alone as this affects all other services out there providing assistance in the community.

"But we also believe that our community has a strong sense of social cohesion and believe that we are very capable of an enormous community response.

"A special thank you also goes to a kind gentleman who has already donated disposable aprons for our staff team as well as 48 pints of milk, 60 eggs and packets of bacon for our service users.

"It goes without saying how proud I am of each and every one of the staff team out there on the front line and on behalf of Mears and our service users.

"I cannot thank them enough."

 

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