Following what began as a public campaign from Denby Dale’s Labour councillors to get additional tablets into care homes in their ward, Kirklees Council has now distributed 62 devices to care homes across the district to enable residents to stay in touch with their loved ones and reduce their social isolation during the coronavirus lockdown.

The campaign began with a call out to residents in Denby Dale for any spare tech that they could donate to local care homes. The councillors then took their campaign to the Council IT department, who worked with the the social care team and partners in the NHS and Facebook to receive an allocation of devices which could be shared across the borough.

Cllr Simpson said that he was:

‘delighted that the Council have been able to take this really positive step to connect our care residents and their families, in these very difficult times’.

Working in collaboration with NHS partners, 17 Facebook Portal Minis have been sent to learning disability care homes across the borough in a bid to keep residents from feeling lonely whilst social distancing restrictions are in place.  Families and friends can be connected via the portals enabling them to be more involved in supporting their loved ones.

One recipient is Cleveland Road, a Bridgewood Trust residential home in Huddersfield for people with learning disabilities. They currently have nine residents varying between 25 – 70 years old and the Covid19 lockdown has brought different challenges to everyone there.

Mark 53, has lived at Cleveland Road since 2002. He has Downs Syndrome.  Mark is a very sociable gentleman who has many friends that he used to see regularly.  Not being able to see these friends during lockdown has been very hard for him and the Facebook portal has lifted his spirits as he has been able to socialise virtually and see his friends.  Mark has used the device to take photos of himself and others during the lockdown and has enjoyed using the portal’s story time app.

Another resident, Dawn, has a learning disability and a physical disability which means she is confined to a wheelchair.  Family is very important to Dawn, using the portal she has enjoyed speaking to her brother and his family, and has enjoyed viewing photos of family members.  She has also been able to see the family dog which is very important to her.

A further 45 devices have been sent to elderly persons care homes including one device which was sent to York House in Dewsbury.

The lockdown has been difficult for residents in York House because they are usually a very busy home, with family members visiting all day.  Staff were acutely aware of isolation and loneliness and they made sure that all residents were well supported.

The portal has had a significant positive impact on residents at the home including Pat, who has lived there for some time.  She used the device to speak to her family who live in France.  She was thrilled with the portal having a positive effect on her wellbeing.  Brenda, another resident who has been at York House for two years, said it was beautiful to see her granddaughter and that she couldn’t wait to see her again.

Tracey Lockwood, Home Manager at Cleveland Road said:

“We were gifted Facebook Portals from Kirklees Council that were distributed to our homes across Kirklees including Cleveland Road. The portals have had such a good impact on our residents. The Facebook Portal has been used to video chat with others; take photos; use the story time app; talk to Alexa and using the internet to listen to songs on YouTube.  We are very grateful for the lovely gift.”

Rachel Beech, Home Manager at York House said:

“When we got the Facebook Portal we immediately set up the York House page to enable residents’ loved ones to get in touch.  We have a dementia suite and it is those residents that have spoken to family callers.  The positive reactions have been heart-warming to witness and we are determined to encourage these moments.

The kind donation by Kirklees Council has been really good for many of the residents. It has been lovely to watch their faces light up when they see a loved one.”