The activities team at a Wellington dementia care home made the most of National Care Worker Day on 19 February, both to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of colleagues over the past 12 challenging months, and also to provide an inspiring talking point for residents who have themselves worked in the care sector.

Richard Dempslake, activities co-ordinator for Camelot House and Lodge, described how moved resident Barbara Doubtfire was as she shared her memories of working as a registered nurse in a children’s intensive care unit in the late 1950’s.

Her daughter, Karen Fullick, said: “Mum was an inspiration and she built a great relationship with patients and the families which she still has contact with.”

Richard Dempslake and his team supported residents to make ‘National Care Worker Day’ posters, and organised a socially-distanced singalong for staff and residents.

Richard said: “It was such a harmonious afternoon, with everyone singing along to Bridge Over Troubled Water and Country Roads.

“Lockdown and the pandemic has been tough on everyone's mental health so we thought a takeaway would also be a nice treat for all staff and residents.

“Big thanks to manager Rob Pearce of Dominoes in East Reach, Taunton, who masterminded our mega-order for over 100 people – staff and residents at Camelot House and Lodge.”

Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care provider Camelot Care which also runs specialist care homes in Bridgwater and Plymouth. See www.camelotcare.co.uk