AS the pandemic unfolds, Summerhayes Care home in Sandford and Hillbrow Residential Care Home in Crediton have taken things into their own hands to plan ahead with ideas to support both care homes if a time comes and if and when staffing goes into crisis.?

Charlie Mason, Provider, Summerhayes Care Home, explained: “We are very concerned that if the virus causes large numbers of staff to self-isolate we could become critically low on staff.

"At this time there is a likelihood we will have a higher dependency than usual on our services if residents become unwell.”?

Joanna Shears, Provider, Hillbrow, added: “We need to make sure that we keep our care homes safe as we look after some of the most vulnerable people living in Crediton.”?

Charlie and Joanna have come up with a plan to ask local people if, in the event of a staffing crisis, they would be prepared to help out with domestic duties within either one of the homes.

This could include making hot drinks, serving food and chatting to the residents.?Charlie and Joanna will work within the guidelines of the regulator CQC when recruiting.

Volunteers will be vetted and some training given before starting and will be supervised at all times, being allowed only in communal areas.

Clearly, volunteers will need to be symptom free of COVID-19 and not in a high-risk category.

?If you are able to volunteer and want to help the first step is to contact either Charlie or Joanna on one of the emails: [email protected] or: [email protected] .?