Suffolk Virtual Care Response Service

Potsford Care Services Ltd in Suffolk encompasses a Care Farm (Day Service) and is a Community Support agency – where they currently support 17 people in their own homes.

Jeni is 83 and lives with her dog in Bury St Edmunds. Her husband passed away eight years ago, but she is very close to her two daughters Heather and Fiona, and her two teenage grandchildren.

Jeni worked as a teacher in Bury St Edmunds before retiring at 60, but was born and raised in Derbyshire where her brother and extended family still live – including her niece’s family.

She’s been isolating during COVID-19 and has found it horrible being unable to visit her family, and not get out and about. However, since having her Carephone, Jeni has found it amazing to be able to see and talk to people.

The other day it was such a thrill as my niece showed me her granddaughter - who is just over a year old - she walked straight across the room and I saw her on the screen. It was really lovely to see her. It was the first time she had walked and they gave me a call straight away so I could see her do it. I have only ever seen her in person once before so it was such a pleasure.

Jeni finds the Video Carephone so easy to use. Her daughter Heather helped set it up, but she says it is simple to make a call as she just has to press the green button.

Jeni has never used technology like this before. Heather previously bought her a mobile phone, but she found it complicated and difficult to use. She also has a pendant alarm– but this is the first time she has used any connected device.

She reminisces:

"I remember the days when nobody had a phone at home. At Brownies we used to take turns to learn how to use the phone in a phonebox and call the Captain – it was seen as learning a life skill! I never thought there would be something where you can speak to people and look at them at the same time. I do appreciate it!"

Jeni hopes that her brother will also be able to call her through her Carephone and will definitely be recommending it to her friends at the Women’s Institute.

Her daughter Heather says:

"Having the Video Carephone has taken a lot of pressure off me. Especially that she speaks her family in Derbyshire. She really enjoys using it and it has made me feel like she’s not so alone."

Jeni is 83 and lives with her dog in Bury St Edmunds. Her husband passed away eight years ago, but she is very close to her two daughters Heather and Fiona, and her two teenage grandchildren.

Jeni worked as a teacher in Bury St Edmunds before retiring at 60, but was born and raised in Derbyshire where her brother and extended family still live – including her niece’s family.

She’s been isolating during COVID-19 and has found it horrible being unable to visit her family, and not get out and about. However, since having her Carephone, Jeni has found it amazing to be able to see and talk to people.

“The other day it was such a thrill as my niece showed me her granddaughter - who is just over a year old - she walked straight across the room and I saw her on the screen. It was really lovely to see her. It was the first time she had walked and they gave me a call straight away so I could see her do it. I have only ever seen her in person once before so it was such a pleasure.”

Jeni finds the Video Carephone so easy to use. Her daughter Heather helped set it up, but she says it is simple to make a call as she just has to press the green button.

Jeni has never used technology like this before. Heather previously bought her a mobile phone, but she found it complicated and difficult to use. She also has a pendant alarm– but this is the first time she has used any connected device.

She reminisces:

“I remember the days when nobody had a phone at home. At Brownies we used to take turns to learn how to use the phone in a phonebox and call the Captain – it was seen as learning a life skill! I never thought there would be something where you can speak to people and look at them at the same time. I do appreciate it!”

Jeni hopes that her brother will also be able to call her through her Carephone and will definitely be recommending it to her friends at the Women’s Institute.

Her daughter Heather says:

“Having the Video Carephone has taken a lot of pressure off me. Especially that she speaks her family in Derbyshire. She really enjoys using it and it has made me feel like she’s not so alone.”

'Virtual bingo - who would've thought it?'

Maggie is one of three directors at the Young at Heart Day centre in Beccles. They provide services to people, most of whom have dementia, at their centre which has been operating for seven years. 

On average they welcome around ten people a day and open three days a week. Visitors have a meal, teas and coffees and participate in activities including cards, bingo, arts and crafts and singing.

Maggie says although they have an I-pad which they used on their customers’ behalf for searching on the internet, they have never used a tablet as a way of delivering a service before. 

They’ve now been using the Alcove Video Carephone for over six weeks and are seeing some excellent outcomes with five of their service-users actively using a device. 

Maggie says: 

"before people could return to the centre it was great to have the devices. We called all our users once or twice a week. For some it was the only conversation they had with anyone."

Gloria, who is 73 and has a learning disability, lives alone with support, and absolutely loves her Alcove Video Carephone. 

Maggie says:

"You know when Gloria is around, she is incredibly sociable and always glamorous.”

Before she was able to return to the day centre, Gloria really missed everyone. Maggie called her on her Video Carephone and then passed it around so that all her friends and support workers could chat to her.

Maggie has also given Gloria a Bingo card to take home so she can participate in games without having to attend in person. 

Maggie says:

“It is early days but there are a lot of benefits going forward – mainly keeping in contact with people and helping them join in with the things that we do. It’s brilliant for those who have the cognitive ability to use it. Virtual bingo, who would have thought it?”

Tony is almost 90 and is in good health, despite having being diagnosed with Alzheimers. He lives alone and is a bachelor, which means he relies on his wider support network to keep him occupied.

Jeff and Tony have been friends for nearly 40 years. Jeff was married to Tony’s niece and due to their mutual interests and love of nature, have become life-long friends. Tony has a large collection of foreign sea shells which he gifted to Jeff and he once grew a greenhouse full of orchids!

Jeff’s friendship with Tony means he has also taken on the role as informal carer to him and he helps him with shopping, bringing food and supplies and checks in on him when he can. Tony also has carers from Manor Court care providers, who visit three times a day.

When he was younger, Tony lived an active life and spent three years in the army as a driver to some of the UKs top civil servants, secret service agents and military personnel. He recalls driving the General to the Queen’s coronation in 1953 as one of his career highlights. After leaving the military, he worked as handyman, taking on different jobs and relishing change. He retired after working for the MOD in Lakenheath and said he has loved every minute of all his work.

Jeff says:

"Tony is the most amazing man you will ever meet. He had the most active life, teaching himself Latin and learning to paint – with exceptional precision. He has always loved helping people, and when he retired, he spent thousands of hours helping out the local school with their garden and volunteering in the community.

"All he likes to do now is talk to people and tell them his stories – and there are so many. The Video Carephone is great as it give him the opportunity to do this.Tony did not use technology before, and wasn’t a fan - including television and telephones. He was very reluctant to receive a Video Carephone. But he absolutely loves his device now."

During lockdown Jeff used to take his dogs out for a walk and called Tony on his Carephone to see the outside world and also to show him some of the places he used to visit.

Tony says:

"The device really helped me during lockdown as the days were so very long – especially for someone like me. I have always been active and it was difficult for me. So being able to see and talk to Jeff was a life saver, and to bring a bit of the outside world in. I have to say, Jeff is my anchor and I now can speak to him and see him every day."