Community rallies to help residents of Eskbank care home

Friday May 1st 2020

ENCC-Highbank-TV-donation

Mike Smith, President of Rotary Club of Esk Valley (centre left) and his son, Grigor; ENCC Councillor, Alan Symon (centre right) and ENCC Treasurer, David McNeill.

With care homes facing extraordinary difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, Highbank Care Home in Eskbank finally has something to smile about – the kindness of the local community.

Due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus, its 40 residents are currently having to remain in their rooms for up to 24 hrs a day. As a result, they’ve been left feeling isolated, unable to access their usual activities and, in a number of cases, with no TVs in their rooms for entertainment.

However, local people have rallied to help the residents, all aged over 60. Householders in Newbattle Abbey Crescent have donated a supply of welcome toiletries and, with the generous help of Tesco Hardengreen and Dalkeith’s branch of WH Smith, Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council (ENCC) have provided arts and crafts materials, crossword puzzles and books, to help keep the residents at Highbank occupied during the lockdown.

 

Community Councillor Alan Symon, who belongs to the Rotary Club of Esk Valley, was also able to source TVs for the care home from other members.

“Thanks to the generosity of fellow Rotarians, more Highbank residents can watch TV in their rooms. But the home still needs TVs, up to a maximum size of 32”. If anyone has a spare set they’d like to donate, please contact the ENCC at mailbox@eskbanknewbattlecc.org. We’re helping Highbank by handling the TV donations, to let staff concentrate on caring for their residents.”

Viewpoint Housing Association’s sheltered accommodation at Glenesk House (off Avenue Road) is also looking for books, puzzles, jigsaws and suchlike for their residents. Again, can you contact ENCC at the email address above if you can donate anything.

The first TVs were handed over to Katherine Malone, Manager of Highbank Care Home on Wednesday 29th April.

 

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