Covid frontline community nurse keeping elderly connected with loved ones

A Mansfield Woodhouse nurse who has been on the Covid frontline and has only seen her own mum three times during the pandemic is fundraising to keep the elderly connected
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Community nurse Tracey Ellis is appealing for help to buy special activity tables used by care homes to keep residents in contact with their family and friends.

Her own mum Linda Barker, 68, is a resident at Sherwood Grange Care Centre at Edwinstowe. Since March, she has only seen Tracey three times and hasn't seen her three grandchildren, Tracey’s children, Charlie Ellis, 9, Katy Ellis, 4, and Oliver Ellis, 3, for eight months due to restrictions.

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Tracey said: "Caring and nursing patients during Covid 19 has been a very testing time, not only for me in my role as a nurse, but also as a daughter.

Tracey Ellis pictured with her mum Linda Barker and her children Charlie Ellis (9) Katy Ellis (4) and Oliver Ellis  (3)  Picture Tracey EllisTracey Ellis pictured with her mum Linda Barker and her children Charlie Ellis (9) Katy Ellis (4) and Oliver Ellis  (3)  Picture Tracey Ellis
Tracey Ellis pictured with her mum Linda Barker and her children Charlie Ellis (9) Katy Ellis (4) and Oliver Ellis (3) Picture Tracey Ellis

"In February, mum’s home was closed due to norovirus, it then went into full Covid 19 lock down soon after. Mum has vascular dementia with rare Lewy Bodies dementia. The residents in her home have barely seen their loved ones. It has been an absolutely terrible time for our elderly.

"Imagine having dementia, not seeing your family for months and unable to understand why. I heard about the activity tables which can help the elderly stay in contact via Skype, and Facetime, etc. They provide a lifeline to the outside world.”

The tables cost around £4,000 plus VAT each. An interactive touch screen provides connectivity, activities, entertainment, and can be used for record collation, reminiscences and exercise programmes.

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Tracey has launched a fundraiser to buy the equipment and is appealing to businesses and Chad readers to offer donations or raffle prizes. She has also set up a GoFundMe page https://gf.me/u/y5jmgx

Tracey said: “I raised £400 in just over a week, but I need help to raise more money. My mum always cared for others and I cannot thank Sherwood Grange enough for looking after my mum, so I wanted to do something to help.

“When I first saw the tables I thought that would be fantastic for the residents of Sherwood Grange, it would boost their morale, keep them connected as well as provide them with entertainment during the long winter ahead.”

See: https://www.inspired-inspirations.com/ Contact: Tracey Ellis/Facebook or email: [email protected]

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