A wish comes true as Wigan care home residents meet their relatives once again

For nearly 10 months, relatives have been using Facebook Portal calls to keep in contact with people living at Norley Hall Care Home.

But a safe visitation lodge, named Rivington View by residents, has now opened in which they are able to meet in person.

It means care home residents can see their relatives and loved ones during the pandemic, without compromising safety, and can connect with the outside by seeing a familiar face.

Rivington View is particularly festive, with a Christmas wonderland theme complete with trees, lights and decorations.

Resident Brenda Thomas was the first to meet her daughter Kay Kilgallon in the lodge.

Speaking to ITV News ahead of her visit, Kay said: “I really want to say on behalf of the family a massive thank you to all the staff at Norley Hall for keeping my mum safe throughout the pandemic.

“I’m sure it has not been an easy task. I want you all to know it has not been taken for granted, we are very grateful. Each and every one at Norley Hall are angels in our eyes and nothing is too much trouble.

“Thank you for reuniting us with mum.”

Brenda said: “It was beautiful, I have missed my family and a visit is all I wanted for Christmas.”

Millennium Care plans to roll out the visiting lodges to all its homes in the area.

Norley Hall manager Ian Taylor said: “We have ensured that residents have used virtual communication methods to keep in touch with their loved ones, but residents needed that face-to-face contact.

“We had a residents’ meeting where we asked what everyone would love for Christmas this year, the answer was the same throughout the home and that was to see families and loved ones in person.

“It has been amazing to make this wish come true. Since opening the lodge, bookings have been filling up fast. We are working hard to ensure every resident will have the chance to see a family member there before Christmas.”

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