Fareham care home residents star in TikTok videos to celebrate staff’s ‘heroic’ work

Holding signs explaining why they love living at Gracewell of Fareham, residents can be seen bopping along to Sister Sledge’s We Are Family and Hero by Mariah Carey with big grins on their faces in videos shared on popular app TikTok.

These heartwarming clips are part of national campaign #CelebrateCareHomes, aiming to praise staff members for their efforts, along with highlighting the great things about living in care homes.

Jessica Wooldridge, admissions advisor, said: ‘It’s just a bit of silliness in this time. We have been really lucky and it has been a difficult time but we have done some amazing things.

‘Everybody pulled together and that’s what has made it. Every single person here has had to work outside of the box and they have just done it heroically.

‘It just shows the strength of the teams we have got here, they have shown a fantastic pulling together to really make sure our residents have nice times even in these terrible times.’

Resident Maisie Dickinson, 90, is getting behind the #CelebrateCareHomes campaign because she loves living at Gracewell of Fareham.

Maisie said: ‘The staff are all lovely - they always try so hard. I love all the activities we do, and my husband and I are very settled. It is our home away from home.’

SEE ALSO: Free paintings from ‘inspirational’ Warblington artist cheer up NHS hospitals and care homes

With zero positive cases at the home, and routine Covid-19 testing every three weeks, residents have been able to enjoy plenty of fun activities - with an Olympics celebration set to take place next week.

Gracewell of Fareham has also been able to begin allowing families to book in for visiting times, and has started welcoming new residents.

Carol Moore, mother of a resident, said: ‘This care home has made my life so much easier - I couldn’t cope without them. I cannot commend them enough both for their high level of care and their love and devotion shown to my son Ray.

‘Having him looked after so well enables me to get on with my life without worrying and I’m thrilled to know he is always so happy there.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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