Emotional reunion between father and son at Peterborough care home after lockdown eased

It has been nearly four months since Stephen Davidge last saw his dad, Alf, in person but the family has recently been reunited in the gardens of Longueville Court Care Home.

Longueville Court is quite unique as it is the only care home in the area that includes a community for disabled adults aged between 18-65.

Stephen, who has cerebral palsy, had lived at the care home for eight years over two separate periods between 2004-2010 and again since 2018.

In one of the home’s first socially distanced reunions, Stephen and Alf sat three metres apart in the home’s gardens and were blessed with good weather.

The pair have been using technology to keep in touch remotely since March, but this was their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stephen doesn’t speak verbally but has a computer to communicate with to keep the conversation flowing.

Alf was overjoyed to see his son again and said: “It is fantastic to see Stephen in person again and know that he is happy and well.

“I wish I could hug him, but that will happen eventually. I’m going to visit Stephen every week from now on.”

Such a reunion has been made possible by the robust plans put in place by Barchester Healthcare, who run the care home aswell as 235 other homes across the country specialising in supporting their residents to live independent lives.

General Manager at Longueville Court Margery Dino said: “Our professional care and housekeeping teams follow all the procedures required to keep Longueville Court a happy, healthy and Covid-free.

“We are delighted to have been able to restart family visits and the reunions have been very emotional for residents, visitors and staff.

“We can also look forward to welcoming new elderly or disabled residents, including people who are looking for a short respite break for some TLC following shielding or isolation.

“We can offer fine dining, a review of medication and lots of activities and social contact to help people regain their wellbeing.”