‘Caring in Covid’

Cornwall Care has had two stories included in the National Care Forum’s Caring in Covid book project. Read by former BBC Spotlight presenter Justin Leigh, one of the two has also been selected to launch the NCF’s 2020 advent calendar.

Each story focuses on a different aspect of caring during the pandemic. The first, which will appear in the book, is about Sue Aldridge, manager of Penberthy. Sue tragically lost both her mother and her brother in the first few months of the virus yet, regardless of her huge personal loss, chose to carry on working in the aftermath – doing all she could to help residents keep safe and well.

The second story, which appears in both the book and advent calendar, tells the tale of ten-year-old Mia Richardson who spent the first lockdown on a daily mission to run the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats on her family’s cross-trainer. Her target was to raise £500 for Blackwood House, where her mother Bernie works as a carer. Thanks to her parents’ tireless support and her own boundless energy, Mia ended up raising more than £18,000 to buy residents two interactive magic tables, a greenhouse and some garden furniture.

BBC Spotlight was one of the media outlets to report Mia’s story and, when presenter Justin Leigh was asked if he would narrate it for the NCF calendar, readily agreed.

“We can’t thank him enough as he reads it so beautifully,” said Cornwall Care CEO Anne Thomas.

“It’s a real privilege to have our two stories included in the NCF Caring in Covid book. Despite everything she has gone through, Sue Aldridge has carried on managing Penberthy and represents all that is amazing about our Cornwall Care team.

The Richardson family are similarly wonderful. Mia’s dedication to her fundraising cause was incredible and I’m extremely grateful to both her and her family for all that they have done – and continue to do – for Blackwood and its residents.”

NCF is the leading membership association for not-for-profit social care providers. To help record and highlight the incredible response from them during the pandemic, it has compiled some of their stories in an e-book.

Vic Rayner, Executive Director of the National Care Forum said:

“Through the collection of Caring Heroes stories, the reader peaks behind the closed doors and experiences what it was really like for care staff, residents in care homes, and people needing support in their own homes during lockdown. This book is more than just a nod to social history, it demonstrates how people’s lives are enriched by the role of those working in the care sector through their creativity, dedication and passion, and through their many skills and talents.”

The Caring in Covid ebook will be available on Wednesday 16th December. To listen to stories on the advent calendar, visit https://www.nationalcareforum.org.uk/christmas-advent-calendar/