Cheeky care home resident teases Duke and Duchess of Cambridge over poor bingo skills at virtual visit

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to residents at Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff via a video call and told them to ‘stay safe’.

Before taking on the task of hosting a bingo game for the residents, the Duke and Duchess spoke to the staff at the home and asked how they are managing to look after their mental health during the current crisis.

One of the care workers told them that morale at the home is “lovely”. Prince William replied: "I've never known Welsh people not to know how to have fun".

During the bingo game, the Royal couple who are currently in lockdown at their home Anmer Hall in Norfolk, used their own bingo spinner to host the game and called out the numbers holding up the balls to the screen.

On asking the residents at the end of the game how they did, one cheeky resident Joan Drew-Smith, said: "Wasn’t as good as it should have been”.

The Duke and Duchess heard from members of the care team about the impact of Covid-19 and the challenges that they have faced as a result of the pandemic. Their Royal Highnesses also heard how the home has adapted to the current circumstances, including greater use of technology to allow residents to stay in touch with their families and friends.

Residents and staff were 'very emotional' after the virtual visit

Following the virtual visit, general manager, Karen Grapes said: “We had a fantastic afternoon and it was an honour to speak to the Duke and the Duchess; the residents were very surprised and overwhelmed, but it wasn’t until after the call the residents and team came over very emotional as they just couldn’t believe that they had spoken to them.”

Resident Joan Drew-Smith, 87, called it a "very special day, spending time with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it is not something you do every day, they were so friendly" and fellow resident Margaret Stocks aged 95, added: "It was certainly different. I didn’t expect to be playing Bingo with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, how lovely it was."

The video call was part of a wider initiative by the royal couple to get in touch with care workers from all over the UK and hear about their experiences during the pandemic

They thanked care workers for their tireless efforts in looking after the most vulnerable in society with the Duke of Cambridge saying: “If there’s hopefully some positivity that comes out of this horrendous time, it is that there’s a light shone on all of the wonderful things you all do and on the social care sector, and it allows people to acknowledge, respect and appreciate everything that you are doing.”

During their calls, they also heard about the work that is being carried out by The Care Workers Charity to help those across the social care sector.

Shire Hall Care Home was rated as one of the Top 20 care homes in Wales by carehome.co.uk this year

Like what you read? For more news click here

click here for more details or to contact Hallmark Shire Hall