‘Fitting tribute’: Sheffield care home holds day of remembrance after 19 residents die of Covid

A Sheffield care home which lost 19 residents to coronavirus has held a day of remembrance a year on from the first national lockdown.
By Dan Hayes
Published 23rd Mar 2021, 17:33 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2021, 08:47 BST
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Family members joined staff and residents for the socially-distanced remembrance event in the garden at Abbey Grange Care and Nursing Home in Fir Vale on Monday.

The event marked the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and provided an opportunity to reflect on collective loss during the pandemic.

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Abbey Grange Care Home held a day of remembrance a year on from the first coronavirus lockdown.Abbey Grange Care Home held a day of remembrance a year on from the first coronavirus lockdown.
Abbey Grange Care Home held a day of remembrance a year on from the first coronavirus lockdown.

Pastor Sallie Wilson, a minister from Church on the Corner, Elim Pentecostal Church in Southey Green, led the event with words of comfort and prayer.

Families and staff planted rose plants to remember those lost to Covid-19, both at Abbey Grange Care and Nursing Home and in the wider community.

“We felt that this would be a fitting tribute as we could not say goodbye in the normal way,” said home manager Kerry Peach.

“This was an important day for our families and staff. We wanted to create an opportunity for people to come together and take some time to reflect on the events of the last 12 months.”

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Staff and residents planted roses in the home's garden.Staff and residents planted roses in the home's garden.
Staff and residents planted roses in the home's garden.

Kerry said the last year had been unlike anything she had experienced in 10 years working in the care sector.

She said: “Quite quickly after the first lockdown we got our first positive case of coronavirus and it spiralled from there. We got quite a big outbreak and very sadly lost some residents.

“But we’ve been doing lots of things to try to keep things as normal as possible for the residents over the list 12 months.

“We’ve also tried to make events like Mother’s Day extra special and we’ve been doing facetimes with relatives.

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The event marked the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and provided an opportunity to reflect on collective loss during the pandemic.The event marked the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and provided an opportunity to reflect on collective loss during the pandemic.
The event marked the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown and provided an opportunity to reflect on collective loss during the pandemic.

“And we’ve now got family visits back with appointments and testing so we’re trying to get that normality back for our residents.”

Staff at the home also participated in the national day of reflection on Tuesday with a two-minute silence at midday and will join a national online event to mark the day via a video link.

The National Day of Reflection was organised by Marie Curie to reflect on our collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved and hope for a brighter future.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.