Care homes appreciate the help and thanks

Three Edinburgh care homes owned by the same group have all received thank yous in recent months.

Care UK’s Cairdean House on Redford Road, Lauder Lodge on Wakefield Avenue and Murrayside on South Beechwood have of course been working hard in the last three months to care for their residents.

They had had individuals and organisations volunteering to help them, delivering messages and artwork to bright everyone’s day. These kind gestures have been much appreciated by staff.

Gillian Goodall, home manager at Cairdean House, said “We have been overwhelmed by all the support we have received and the acts of kindness we witnessed, whether they came from outside or inside the home.

“The whole team has worked hard to make sure residents continue living fulfilling lives throughout the pandemic, but two names especially come to mind. Sarah and Kelly Ann have been true beacons of light over the past few months, by supporting their colleagues while continuing to do an amazing job, and I couldn’t be prouder to count them as part of our team.”

Nicole Anderson, home manager at Lauder Lodge, added: “Everyone at Lauder Lodge would like to thank local people for their kind gestures, however big or small, from sending chocolates, fudge and shortbread to brighten everyone’s day, to creating amazing Zimmer frame bags for residents. Your consideration and generosity has helped us through this challenging time, by bringing a smile to residents missing their families, and a morale boost to our hardworking team.

“We are truly lucky to be part of such a wonderful, caring community, and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon!”

Cairdean House was inundated with support, receiving tablets and phones for residents to keep in touch with their families from Sky, Easter treats from their local Morrison’s branch, as well as a new bench for the garden from Celtic Property Maintenance. The home also praised two of its team members, Kelly Ann, who gathered gift bags to brighten the day of her colleagues, and Sarah, who knitted ‘ear savers’ for the team.

Over at Lauder Lodge, Seafield News Agents delighted the residents by delivering Easter eggs along with their usual newspaper deliveries. More gifts, from fudge and shortbread, to books and prosecco, were also sent to the home by residents’ families, the Edinburgh community and Historic Environment England, while Alison Cormack crafted Zimmer frame bags for residents and headbands for team members.

At Murrayside, thoughtful cards and posters were received from local nurseries, including Busy Bees Nursery, Bright Sparks Nursery and Currie Children’s Nursery. Team members and residents were also treated to free pizza from Domino’s Dalry, boxes of chocolate from Saughtonhall Drama Club and various food and drinks from Golden Acre Foods, as well as gift hampers from PW & Partners.

Members of Rucking Good Crochet also picked up their needles and thread to create some special crochet tabs for the Murrayside team’s facemasks. Murrayfield Medical Centre, Murrayfield Medical Practice, Nelson’s, Kerry.com, Heriot’s Blues Rugby Club and Amey Scotland also came together to support the home throughout the pandemic.