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Rutherglen’s David Walker Gardens is using music and dance to ease the separations brought by Covid-19.

Each day at 2:30pm residents are encouraged to ‘rock around the pond’ in sessions led by the care home's activity champion Megan Watt and the team.

The daily routine evolved from an impromptu ‘concert’ staged in the gardens of the home on Mother’s Day.

Care Home Manager, Debra Allison explained: “Sadly we couldn’t open our doors with entertainment to our extended families as we normally would, so Senior Social Care Worker Nicky Springett and Social Care Assistant Paul Guerroumi worked quickly to present a song and dance event for the service users.

“Having seen this and how well it was received, I decided that a musical event like this should become a daily part of our lives.”

Singing and dancing along to some classic tunes and party favourites has not only lifted spirits among service users, but brought them closer to the families they haven’t seen since Government restrictions began more than a month ago. Many have been able to see and interact with their loved ones via video apps such as Zoom and Skype and a few have even taken to gathering on the other side of the wall behind the care home and joining in with the afternoon fun.

From their vantage point on the street they can maintain a safe distance but still see and hear loved ones as they sing and dance along. For some it has been a crucial lifeline, as the ‘new normal’ enters its second month.

Also joining in enthusiastically are 10 temporary team members from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) who came to David Walker Gardens following a recruitment event offering staff a chance to undertake different roles during the Coronavirus crisis.

After training and induction pertinent to the caring role, the new recruits were eager to put their skills to use by joining in the daily ‘rock around the pool’, embracing the challenge of outdoor song and dance to boost the morale of both service users and staff.

Care Home Manager, Debra Allison, is full of gratitude for the work all staff are putting in during these unprecedented times, and has warmly welcomed the input of their new SLLC colleagues.

She said: “The additional staff have now become an integral part of our team and it’s very important that we all work together to promote positive mental wellbeing for service users. This means ensuring that we “Make Every Move and Every Moment Count”.

“Every day the service users look forward to either participating in person around the pond, from windows or from their own balconies. With the additional technology of Skype this allows service users to maintain face-to-face contact with loved ones which has been of such comfort in alleviating anxiety and loneliness. The families, who are able, and live locally, ex colleagues too, have been spending their allocated exercise time and have cheered everyone on and danced with the beat of the music in Hamilton Road.

“So far the feedback is that our service users want this activity to continue daily come rain or shine!

“The collaborative working with SLLC has gone above and beyond our expectations. We know that some have already expressed an interest in a career in social care, which would be amazing. Sorry SLLC I’d love to keep your amazing staff!

David Booth, General Manager of SLLC was also proud of the way in which the Trust’s staff have taken on many and diverse roles throughout the crisis.

He said: “I have been humbled by the community spirit displayed across the entire SLLC workforce. The ‘can do’ attitude of my staff, who are willing to help wherever and whenever they are needed, even if that involves learning new skills, has greatly impressed me. Over the weeks to come we will continue to play our part along with our council and NHS colleagues.”

Credit: South Lanarkshire Council