Oaklands care home proud to support the local community

Staff at Oaklands care home, in Norwich Road, Scole, were so overwhelmed by the community support they have received during the pandemic that they wanted to put something back.

So, led by the Kingsley Healthcare run home’s hospitality host, Rebecca Chrystal, they have been distributing gift bags to elderly and vulnerable people to show they are not alone.

Their latest distribution involved handing over bags containing masks, hand sanitiser and gloves as well as other gifts, including pens, note pads and sweets, to Salvation Army senior soldier Neil Powell.

The Salvation Army will take them, along with food parcels, to elderly people in the local area.

So far, they have distributed almost 600 parcels in Diss and surrounding areas with many more planned.

Salvation Army Major David Young said: "This pandemic has put stress and anxiety onto a lot of people and families but it has also brought out the best in so many people in offering practical help.

“We thank you most sincerely for all that you are doing at Oaklands but also for reaching out into the community."

Miss Chrystal has also recently donated some of the bags to Claire Grant at Housing 21. These were distributed to residents in assisted living accommodation at Terence Airey Court in Harleston.

She said: “Staff at Oaklands have been touched by the support we have received with kind gifts from family members and the wider community.

“We wanted to put something back and I have really enjoyed helping make up the bags for residents in our area, especially delivering them and hearing how grateful everyone was for receiving PPE that is so expensive and in very high demand.

“Just to know that people can pop out to the shops safely with the help from Oaklands has made my day.”