Over 100 Mother's Day video messages arrive for care home group's residents

Families have sent more than 100 Mother’s Day video greetings to mums in care homes across Kent, Essex and Surrey operated by the Nellsar Care Homes group.

Care home residents were shocked to suddenly see their sons and daughters appear on screen with a personalised video message for them on Mother’s Day (14 March), during a virtual concert by The Bel Canto Sopranos.

Corrine Rider, daughter of 78-year-old Maureen Burstow who lives at Sonya Lodge Residential Care Centre in Dartford, said: “It meant the world to us knowing mum would be able to see us all on Mother’s Day and know how much she means to us.

"Especially as visiting is currently limited due to Covid-19.”

Sonya Lodge Residential Care Centre in Kent, received 27 videos for 16 residents.

Alison Willis, the daughter of 90-year-old Iris Willis, who also lives at the care home, said: “What a fantastic and innovative idea to be able to send a special message to my mum on Mother’s Day, when I can’t be there in person.

“Being able to see me and hear me is the next best thing, so it’s such a lovely thing to be able to do.”

The classical group performed songs from the Sound of Music and other classics before residents in 13 care homes run by the group were surprised with tear-jerking video messages from their families.

‘There were a lot of emotional mums’

In total, 113 video messages were received from family members from as far away as Canada, the US, Switzerland, France and Australia.

Viv Stead, Nellsar Care Homes' recreation and well-being manager said: “After the success of our Christmas Day concert by The Bel Canto Sopranos, which also saw similar video messages sent in from residents’ family members, we decided Mother’s Day was the perfect occasion to do it again.

“It’s fair to say there were a lot of emotional mums when the videos were played.

“It meant so much to them to be able to see and hear their loved ones on Mother’s Day during a time when visitation is still limited. “A simple, short video message went a long way in making our residents’ day very special, it was a really powerful and heartfelt moment when they were played.

“We want to thank all those who contributed to this special effort and we look forward to welcoming them to the homes in person in the near future.”

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