Moving moments as Wigan care home residents are reunited with their loved ones

Those were the words of a mother and daughter who were able to meet face-to-face for the first time in a year.

Indoor visiting started at care homes across the borough on Monday, after changes to Government guidelines meant residents are allowed one nominated family member to meet them in the home.

One of the first indoor visitors at Worthington Lake care home in Standish was Susan Southern, who was delighted to see her mother Irene Winstanley.

After months without being able to hold hands, Irene eagerly awaited her daughter’s arrival in the home’s visiting room and had a fresh bunch of flowers ready to give to her.

As Susan pulled wrapping paper off the door and entered the room, carers watched on as Irene was overcome with emotion at the sight of her daughter in the same room as her.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the home as Irene told her daughter: “Oh, I can hold your hand! Oh hello, love, I love you. Seeing you like this – it’s beautiful.”

Susan said: “Holding Mum’s hand for the first time in 12 months was pure joy, a true gift. As Mum rightly put it, ‘We will remember this day forever!’ I’m still beaming. Such a wonderful, precious moment shared with Mum. Thank you to all the staff at Worthington Lake for making it so special.”

Until this week, visits were being held at Worthington Lake care home in a specially-built lodge with a Perspex screen, which opened in the summer.

But the new Government guidance means people can now meet in person, with visitors wearing PPE and having a coronavirus test before they arrive.

There was also joy at The Old Rectory care home in Standish, where residents were able to welcome their first visitors.

Among them was Susan Sharrock, who donned PPE to visit her mother Barbara Kevil.

Premila Jingree, the home’s registered manager, said: “The visit not only made the pair’s day, but us as well as it was nice to see Barbara see her daughter.”

Opening up care homes forms part of the first step of the Government’s road map which sets out how restrictions could be eased.

The Government will decide whether to extend the number of visitors to two per resident at step two of its road map and no earlier than April 12.

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