In-house sunbathing helps care home raise money for local lifeboat station

The snow might be lingering this January, but one care home in the New Forest has found an innovative way of helping visitors recall that summer feeling with the use of its own ‘sun cove’.

Belmore Lodge is a fifty-five capacity Lymington care home that has its own multi-sensory sun spa, which owners Colten Care Ltd envisioned as a way of helping to stimulate Vitamin D production when residents are unable to get out and about. Ultra-violet rays are known to help fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), aiding sleep and relaxation as well as boosting the immune system.

Normally reserved for the use of its residents, the home was inspired to raise money for the Lymington RNLI lifeboat station by opening the cove to the public for three ‘Sparkle in the Sun’ days – a cause the home is supporting through a series of on-going events before presenting a cheque to the RNLI.

Visitors were invited to make a donation for an hour spent in the sun, with the added bonus of manicures and massages. The chance to sunbathe even drew in local mayor, councillor Jacqueline England.

“It was amazing,” said Councillor England after her session. “For anyone who may be worried about the idea of going into a care home, if they could come and have this experience it would alleviate their fears.”

Home manager Suzanne Cross speaks highly of the sun cove’s benefits, saying: “Our residents find that spending time in the sun cove relieves aches and pains and delivers a range of other health benefits. The lighting is so sophisticated it can replicate sunrise, full daylight and sunset and you can even change settings depending on whether you want to be in Miami, Mauritius or Bali. We were only too happy to open up the cove for visitors to see how fabulous it is, all in aid of a worthy cause.”

click here for more details or to contact Colten Care Ltd