Coronavirus: Mum with dementia cried 'happy tears' when sons used care home pod to visit her

Two brothers are among the families expressing their relief at being able to visit their loved ones in a care home during lockdown, thanks to a pod that stops a ban on visitors.

The SafeTime Pod is the first visitor pod of its kind in the UK offering virus-free visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been piloted at Old Shenfield Place care home in Brentwood, Essex on 5 June.

After being unable to visit for almost three months, families of residents at Old Shenfield care home took turns to have virus-free chats inside the visitor pod - a standalone mobile unit situated at a care home window.

Duncan and Richard Parry were among the first people to try it out when they visited their mother, who has dementia, for the first time in 10 weeks.

Sitting inside the pod, the men had a 30 minute face-to-face chat with her and spoke through a hands-free intercom, while she sat in the care home.

“It’s a brilliant idea, the set up. It’s been such a relief to visit.

“Mum was crying when we got in there, the emotional impact for her. It's hugely significant to visit and very important for her and for us, so thank you.”

‘Happy tears’

Their mother wasn’t the only one crying at the care home, as residents and families got very emotional, laughing and shedding tears at the sight of loved ones according to care home manager Kim Currie.

Kim Currie, manager at the care home, run by Amba Care Homes Group, said she was surprised by just how successful the pod had been.

"It beat all my expectations.

"I received lots of positive feedback and lots and lots of happy tears.

“Some families haven’t seen their mum or dad for months, it’s been amazing. I’m really proud to be part of it.”

The pod was created by Bruce Martindill and Emma Joanne. The SafeTime Project is a not-for-profit company which is crowdfunding to raise money to help care homes make use of it.

They say people who donate can pay towards or purchase a ’Gift a Pod’ to a 'care home in need'.

click here for more details or to contact Old Shenfield Place