Carers who moved into their residential home to shield vulnerable residents from the coronavirus, hope their actions will help ‘undervalued’ care workers get the ‘recognition they deserve’.
Manager of Victoria House on the Isle of Wight Claire Leggett, 31, appeared on This Morning today where she explained they introduced a ‘no-one in, no-out’ policy’ before lockdown, and have had no infections in the home.
Nine of the home’s 31 staff moved in on April 15 to look after the 20 people living in the home, with three of them opting to set up residence outside in tents, while Claire herself is sleeping in the boiler room.
Appearing on This Morning with staff members Holly Stringer and Joel Checkly-Hill, she told that her team are working ‘very hard’ to ensure the safety of those in their care, and says she hopes their story ‘inspires others’.
Nine staff (pictured) at Victoria House on the Isle of Wight have resorted to camping in the garden as part of a ‘no-one in, no-one out’ policy to protect residents from contracting the coronavirus
Manager Claire Leggett (middle), 31,Holly Stringer(right) and Joel Checkly-Hill (left) , appeared today on This Morning today to speak about the decision to move into the care home
‘I do feel that we are undervalued, said Claire. ‘Our job is incredibly challenging, I have an incredible team who have worked very, very hard.
‘I do hope this story inspires others and care gets the recognition we deserve.’
With residents in the home aged up to 103-years-old, Claire felt she had no choice but to do everything she could to protect the lives of residents who are like extended family to the staff.
‘I was really concerned about Covid-19, said Claire, ‘It was a decision I didn’t take lightly. I decided to lock the home down and asked the staff to move in.
With residents in the home aged up to 103-years-old, Claire felt she had no choice but to do everything she could to protect the lives of residents. Offices have also seen beds added for staff at Victoria House
So far none of the residents in the care home have contracted the virus and the no-one in, no-one-out’ policy has come in as a measure to help protect them from Covid-19. Pictured, the garden of Victoria House care home
‘In total I have 31 staff that work for me here. What I decided to do was look at the staff list looked at everyone’s commitments and home life and situations to see who would be best suited to live in Victoria house.’
Holly was living alone with her cat before lock-down, and says the decision to move in was ‘easy’, while Joel had to leave behind his family, who he says will be ‘proud’ of his choice to move in.
He told: ‘I gave up living with my grandparents, parents and twin brother and my dog and decided to come here just to help. I can imagine they were concerned, but more than anything I imagine they’re proud.’
Holly (right) was living alone with her cat before lock-down, and says the decision to move in was ‘easy’ while Joel (left) had to leave behind his family, who he says will be ‘proud’ of his choice to move in
The staff told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes (pictured) they’re working ‘very hard’ to ensure the safety of those in their care, and says she hopes their story ‘inspires others’
Holly added: ‘I’m Joel’s neighbour in another tent. For me I don’t have too many commitments, most of my family live on the mainland.
‘So I think it was an easy question, there was no way I could say no because the residents are so important to us.’
The current staff are dividing up duties to keep the home running, all taking part in cooking, cleaning and laundry as well as caring for the residents – who are ‘really concerned’ about their wellbeing.
The care home has 31 workers in total and 20 residents as staff pose next to make shift beds
Claire explained: ‘We’re doing it on a rota basis, so it’s fair. We’re taking turns doing laundry cleaning and nights. We’re doing everything between us and having a bit of downtime as well.’
She added: ‘They have been so lovely, the residence have been really getting involved and looking at our sleeping arrangements.
‘They’ve been really concerned about making sure we’re okay.’