Sunderland nursing home builds shelter for visitors after man visits to see wife through window everyday of 2020

A nursing home in Sunderland has built shelters to allow relatives to visit residents at the window of their care home during lockdown.
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Bryony Park Nursing Home in Sunderland have created shelters so that visitors can still sit at the window to see loved ones – without being rained on or blown away by the wind.

The idea came from the home owner, Yitzi Bamberger who wanted to ensure visitors could still be comfortable but safe under the new covid-19 measures after seeing a husband visit the home to see his wife through the window every single day through lockdown.

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Sydney Bate, 89, has visited his wife Freda, 86, every single day for over three years since she first moved to the home.

Sydney Bate (89) making use of the pod as he visits his wife Freda (86) at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REIDSydney Bate (89) making use of the pod as he visits his wife Freda (86) at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REID
Sydney Bate (89) making use of the pod as he visits his wife Freda (86) at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REID

And since lockdown restrictions came into force in March, Mr Bate has visited the home daily and stood by the window in all weathers in order to spend time with his wife.

Mr Bamberger said: “I noticed that Mr Bate visited his wife here everyday, and he would stand in the bad weather to make sure he spent some time with her.

"He’s a real trooper so I came up with the shelters to ensure visitors could still see loved ones but were dry and more comfortable.

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"Everyone is over the moon with the pods as we realise how difficult it is at present for our resident’s relatives so this is the perfect solution to keep everyone safe and happy.”

The visiting pod at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REIDThe visiting pod at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REID
The visiting pod at Bryony Park Nursing Home. Picture by FRANK REID
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There are currently two shelters at the Bryony Park Nursing Home but plans are in place to create shelters at Memory Lane Care Group’s other two care homes in Sunderland.

Mr Bate has said he is ‘over the moon’ with the new shelters.

He said: “They are absolutely brilliant, the pods are comfortable and cosy, I just need heating now!”

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He added: "Everyone was worried about the implications of these new rules but these pods are just fantastic.

"The girls here are working their socks off and they don’t get enough credit for their hard work.

“It’s lovely to see how well Freda is being looked after.”

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