'Don't worry, we're OK' - Harrogate care home residents make heartwarming signs to reassure relatives

Manor House care home on Cornwall Road suggested the idea to their residents as an activity, and it has become a runaway success - bringing welcome reassurance and comfort to worried families at a time when they can no longer visit relatives in person.

The emotional messages held up by some of the female residents include, 'Oh my love, you are my children and I love you all,' and, 'hope to see you soon, I am doing good, don't worry about me, love you, from mum.'

Manor house's lifestyle coordinator Helen Maude, said writing the messages has empowered residents and given them renewed strength in their roles as parents and grandparents.

Helen said: "Their families think about them all the time, every single day, and actually, especially at times like this, it's important to really be thinking about what the families are going through as well.

"And for residents, it almost gives them back their power as a mum, because all of a sudden they are saying to their families, 'we're okay, we're safe, look after yourself, we're being well looked after here, we'll come together again,' - I just think it empowered them a bit as mums to reassure their children.

"It's not always about them being ill and being in a home, it's about empowering them. Our residents are amazing, they are staying strong together. They can become locked down through illness, but inside their spirit is still there."

Helen said the response from families to the messages has already been very heartwarming and moving to experience.

She said: "I think the families can feel helpless, guilty and sad that they can't be with their mums and dads. But this almost takes the guilt away a little bit, because they know they're happy and safe.

"Our activities at Manor House are giving residents an important sense of normality, and whether they see their families or not, the connection with them is still there - whatever happens, they have a connection to their families in spirit.

"There is a great sense of camaraderie, hope and friendship at Manor House, and a feeling that we will all get through this together."