Downham Grange staff serve up support to local community

Staff at Downham Grange care home were so touched by the generous community support they received during the coronavirus lockdown they wanted to give something back. So for three weeks running, they delivered home-cooked lunches to elderly residents in Wade Wright Court, a sheltered housing complex in Downham Market.

Downham Grange activities coordinator Tracy Nicholls said: “It’s been a difficult time for staff and especially our residents, who missed family visits for such a long period. However, the local community showed us we were not on our own and we had so many spontaneous gifts, including a cake from Norwich City, staff treats from Tesco and books from a local supplier; residents have loved receiving pen pal letters from local volunteers.

“We wanted to do something for the community in return and we have loved doing it. It’s been great meeting the residents of Wade Wright Court and I have enjoyed making friends with them; when the lockdown is over I will take some of our residents to meet them and we would also like to invite them to our annual barbecue too.” Chefs Anchalee Pearce and Lynda Leverett-Harbott prepared the lunches, serving up a choice of chicken casserole or cheesy pasta the first week, beef stew and dumplings or vegetable stew on week two and beef casserole or ham salad on week three.

Mrs Pearce said: “We enjoyed doing it and the residents were so appreciative; I loved going out with Tracy on the last delivery.” Michael Battersby,  the development manager at Wade Wright Court, said: “What a fantastic service we have received from Downham Grange and Tracy.

We have had great quality hot meals delivered by Tracy to the front doors of the most vulnerable residents who would all like to say a big thank you.”