Care staff are redeployed
kitchen. As well as assisting with food preparation, she is packing and labelling meals as colleagues take food orders by phone.
“In times like these, we all do whatever it takes to keep our essential services running and I’m happy to be able to help.” Other staff members are going into care homes to keep residents company, allowing care assistants to focus on the more care-specific elements of their jobs.
Graphic designer Lauren Akehurst’s changing role is helping residents at
Lady Sarah Cohen House in Friern Barnet to connect digitally with loved ones.
Janice Krieger’s father Simeon is a resident at the Otto Schiff home in Golders Green. She said it was “very comforting for my brothers and I to be able to use WhatsApp video call with dad during a very difficult time. We thank Rosa, the care manager, for arranging it.”
Ffion Roberts, the charity’s electronic care plan implementation manager, has been redeployed to assist care teams.
“I’ve made a few FaceTime calls today to relatives who have communicated their worry,” she said. “It is so rewarding to see the smiles on everyone’s faces once they have chatted. The residents and relatives are so grateful.
“It’s absolutely made my day to be able to do this and offer a little bit of light to people in dark times.”
Younger volunteers are also playing their part. Moriah Primary pupils have sent imaginative stories and poems online to keep up residents’ spirits.
People at Sidney Corob House in West Hampstead for those with mental health needs have received cards from young volunteers.
And members of Jewish Care’s bnei mitzvah programme have been sending films and emails to residents at the charity’s Friern Barnet complex.
Chief executive Daniel CarmelBrown praised the efforts of redeployed staff, plus volunteers and supporters “who have reached out in so many ways. We will ensure we make the best use of the time and skills you have offered to us to support our residents and the community.”
It’s made my day to offer a bit of light to people in dark times’