A ground-breaking book called ‘Bringing the Inside Out’, featuring the words of residents and carers from Madeira Lodge Care Home, has been launched by a pioneering UK-wide charity called Living Words.
The New Romney care home took part in the nationwide project contributing with over 60 professional carers, people living with dementia and their relatives, about life in care homes during the Covid pandemic, 2020.
Sarah Pennington, Care Home Manager at Madeira Lodge Care Home says: “It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, especially carers and those they support. We really enjoyed contributing to this book, it helped us to communicate our feelings and also celebrate the fact we pulled through it, and although not over we can see hope and the day we will be able to hug our families again.”
Read the very moving book extract by Janice Dye, carer at Madeira Lodge care home titled Loving Contact:
‘…they weren’t allowed to cuddle their relative. I found that quite hard to watch. You know, I sit there and it’s hard to watch them not being able to – they just want to give them a kiss and a cuddle. Why can’t I? You have to explain, it’s the virus, we’re just trying to keep you safe…‘You know I feel, like wicked, feel like I’m keeping them away from their loved ones…’
Susanna Howard Living Words - Founder, artistic director says: “It has been a pleasure to work with Janice, and also through her to hear the words of residents. Our hope is for the book to bring the sense of community and courage and love within its pages, out to everyone who has been affected by the isolation and challenges of the pandemic. The event will be a cheerful, hopeful, informal gathering, hosted by me, with words and videos from participants and our team.
