Covid-19 time capsules created by care home residents

Residents at Rogers House care home in Wigmore have created time capsules based around their pandemic experiences from the last 18 months.

Residents at the care home each filled boxes to use as their capsule with photos, news stories and collages they had created. They also included notes with their own experiences and letters they’d received from the community and local school children to "share with future generations" their experiences of the pandemic.

The care home, which is run by Rapport Housing & Care which cares for more than 300 people in the South East of England, decided to join the ‘Moment in Time’ project launched by the National Care Forum, NAPA (National Activity Providers Association) and Beacon Consultancy.

The Moment in Time project focuses on the social care sector and the experiences of those living and working in it during the pandemic in a bid to address the wellbeing of residents and staff.

The time capsules highlight difficult times and identify what made residents feel supported or loved. The boxes were sealed on 19 July 2021 and will be reopened again one year later on 19 July 2022 to help residents and staff reflect on these memories.

Jackie Miles, home manager of Rogers House said: “The pandemic has been tough for us all but in the social care sector, it has been particularly challenging, as heightened restrictions have been needed throughout to keep the vulnerable safe.

“Our residents have missed visits and outings, but we’ve really pulled together as a family to keep one another’s spirits up and the community have rallied around us too. We wanted to capture that in this capsule and include our story for future generations to hear.”

A spokesperson for Rapport Housing & Care, said: “Whilst the last year has been challenging for us all and there are many things we wish not to remember, those of us who have lived through the Covid-19 pandemic have an important story to tell and much we can share with future generations.”

Vic Rayner, chief executive of the National Care Forum said: “Memories are some of the most precious things to us all. They are part of us, and they remind of us key events in our lives.

“For many of us, this last year has been one of the most challenging years of our lives and there are many reasons why we might not wish to remember.

"However, together we have a story that is important to tell, and we can piece together the tough times alongside the things that made us feel loved and supported and bring them in one place so that we never forget.”