National Day of Reflection 2022: Care homes remember those lost during the pandemic

As the country pauses on Wednesday 23 March in remembrance of those who have died during the crisis, care home managers have paid tribute to the “incredible work across the social care sector” during the pandemic and remember “those who have been lost.”

Organised by charity Marie Curie, National Day of Reflection gives people across the UK the opportunity to connect, remember those who have died and support the millions of people who are grieving including a minute silence at midday.

Throughout the pandemic, a total of 186,094 people lost their lives to Covid-19. This includes 969 care staff who also sadly lost their lives to the virus.

Lindsey Deignan, home manager at brighterkind’s Henleigh Hall Care Home based in Sheffield said: “While we continue to work hard to put our residents’ health and happiness at the heart of everything we do, March 23rd is an opportunity to take a moment to pause and reflect on the past two years.

“We’ve faced enormous challenges and ever-changing ways of living and working and I am immensely proud of the way my team has supported the people we care for to lead a fulfilling life at every opportunity during the pandemic.

“We participated in the one minute’s silence at 12 noon to remember those who lost their lives, as well as thinking of the families and friends who miss them dearly.”

'It’s hard to overstate the pressure care homes have been under over the last two years'

Over 40,000 care home residents died in the UK during the pandemic which saw many care staff moving away from their families into care homes to keep residents safe during lockdowns and working long hours in what became a highly stressful and exhausting work environment.

Suzanne Booker, director of care at Lilian Faithfull Care Charity said: “We’ve listened and learnt through our experiences of the pandemic. The importance of caring for fellow people with kindness, comfort and understanding is felt not only across our charity, but within our wider community too.

“From this challenging time, community strength and connections have been regenerated, as local people, schools, groups, and businesses came together, adapted, innovated, and supported one another. We really felt the power of this in Gloucestershire.”

Mark Danis, commercial director for Caring Homes Group said: “Everyone at Caring Homes Group has joined the country in marking the National Day of Reflection 2022.

"At 12 noon, we remembered all of those who have been affected by the pandemic and pay tribute to the incredible work of not only our own staff but all who have worked tirelessly across the healthcare sector during this difficult and challenging time.”

Mike Padgham posted on Twitter: 'Today on #NationalDayOfReflection we all pause to remember those tragically lost to #Covid19 - we will never forget them. And we should also thank & praise those in #socialcare & others who we owe so much.'

Nicola Richards, director of Palms Row Health Care Ltd and founder of Support Social Care Heroes, said: “It’s hard to overstate the pressure care homes have been under over the last two years. Our carers, residents and their families have faced it all with a level of unity and fortitude which makes me proud to work in the sector.

“It’s so important for us all to take this time to remember the loved ones we have lost and to support everyone who is still grieving.”

Alison Marshall, deputy housekeeper at Northfield Nursing Home in Sheffield, added: “The last two years have been very hard and there have been sad times. I think today is important so we can recognise all the hard work throughout the pandemic and remember everyone that we lost to Covid.”

'Those lost to Covid will never be out of our hearts and minds'

More than 350 organisations are supporting the day of reflection, which will see landmarks across the UK light up in yellow, including the Gherkin in the City of London, the Senedd in Cardiff, Glasgow Central Station and Belfast City Hall.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute to everyone bereaved by coronavirus on the second anniversary of the national lockdown.

Mr Johnson said: “Those lost to Covid will never be out of our hearts and minds, and today we reflect as a nation.

"The toll this pandemic has taken across the globe is immeasurable. The National Day of Reflection is a chance to come together, mourn and offer our collective support and sympathies to all those grieving.

“It’s also a chance to thank everyone who cared for us throughout. I saw first-hand the heroic efforts of NHS staff and I pay tribute to them, the grief counsellors, charity workers and friends and families, as we pause to remember those we have lost.”