Cheltenham care home residents reunited with family after two years apart

A couple at a Cheltenham care home received a surprise visit from across the pond. 

The emotional reunion took place at Care UK’s Sandfields, on St George’s Road, as residents Peter and Pauline were reunited with their daughter Mandy for the first time in two years.

 

With Mandy living in the United States and the strict rules surrounding travel during the pandemic, Peter and Pauline were only able to keep in touch virtually – until now.

With extra help from Peter and Pauline’s other children, Philip and Alyson, the home started planning the reunion weeks in advance to make the visit as safe as possible. The surprise visitor remained a well-kept secret up until the very last minute, when Mandy walked into the care home and was able to hug her parents for the first time in two years. 

Pauline said: “When we saw Mandy for the first time in two years we felt elated. You can’t imagine how it felt. It was a lovely surprise and very special.”

Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, said: “The pandemic has kept many families apart across the country. While we did our best to ensure residents could stay in touch with their relatives, virtually or via our Covid-safe visiting suites, there’s nothing quite like a hug from a loved one."

“Mandy lives in the United States, meaning she was unable to return to the UK and visit us during the pandemic. When we found out she was back in the country, we teamed up with Peter and Pauline’s other children, Philip and Alyson, to make the moment as unforgettable as possible."

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care. The home, which features 90 en-suite bedrooms, has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, bar, hairdressing salon and café.

For more information on Sandfields, please contact Laura Sayburn, Customer Relations Manager, by emailing: laura.sayburn@careuk.com or calling 01242 801 867.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/sandfields.