Essex-based, Okeley Care Home usually has a very busy activity schedule, with entertainers regularly stopping by to perform for the residents. However, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, Excelcare has limited visitation to the care homes to help control the spread of this virus.
This means team members are finding innovative ways of keeping the schedule varied with new activities and some of the resident's favourites. Alex Southgate, an accordion player that usually performs at Okeley, has also found an innovative way to deliver his popular sessions to care home residents.
Using the power of Youtube, Alex hosts live-streamed performances, completely free of charge, that people can tune in to from any device. What this has meant is, residents can enjoy his performances in a whole new way and from the convenience of where they are.
Team members at head Office recently sent Ipad's to each of the care homes so the residents can stay in touch with their loved ones via video calls. These too have now doubled up as portable entertainment devices, meaning residents in their rooms are able to join in and watch the performances comfortably.
This has really helped to boost wellbeing at the care home as people can comment and interact with Alex in realtime, hear messages from him and send in song requests. To show their supporting Alex, the residents put on multi-coloured hats when they watch his performances each day and sing along from where they are.
Thank you to Alex for keeping the spirits high at Okeley Care Home, even when you can't be there physically and we look forward to welcoming you back when possible.
If you would like to support Alex, either by tuning in or donating to keep this scheme running, please visit his Youtube page here.