Although the coronavirus pandemic has majorly impacted the daily routine of Abbeyfield Irvine, we have adapted out activity programme to adhere to social distancing guidelines set out by the Scottish Government.

We have started a daily ‘window visit’ programme where relatives can use their daily exercise to come past Abbeyfield and have a short visit with their relative, through the front window. This has proved popular within the relative group and helps to keep our residents spirits up by seeing their family and friends, albeit it through a window! Where it is not feasible to have a window visit, we actively encourage video chats, phone calls and even good old fashioned letter writing!

Our activity programme has had to be adapted as our residents maintain social distancing, and this has included movie days, online church services, personalised boredom buster books and even a homemade version of Kerplunk! We have had a Piper come and play for us and also some young highland dancers to entertain us for the afternoon, all from our car park!

We are lucky to have 2 enclosed garden spaces, where residents have been able to enjoy the lovely weather that we have had, even if it is just for a cup of tea in the sunshine.

We celebrated Easter and the Queen’s Birthday in April, we commemorated the anniversary of VE Day in May and we have had several birthday celebrations of our own, celebrated more calmly than planned, but still with plenty of cake for everyone!

During this lockdown, like many others, we have come to realise that it is not always about the ‘big things’ in life. Something as simple as a post card from a daughter, a call from a son, a letter from a friend and even a rainbow drawing from a grandchild mean so much more.