Sidmouth: Doveleigh Care's keyworker scheme lets residents have one-to-one quality time

Doveleigh Care, a local company that runs care homes for the elderly in Sidmouth, Seaton, and Colyton, has a special scheme that means each resident has a chance to spend quality time with a member of staff.

Every resident at Doveleigh Care is matched up with a keyworker with similar interests with whom they can talk and do various activities one-to-one.

Keyworker Nikki and resident Pam have been enjoying each other's company for the last three years. They often go for drives, have lunch out, and meet up with Pam's old pals.

Nikki said: "Pam likes to go out for a drive. We have been to Beer Head where we have watched families playing and having a picnic; Pam likes to talk about the family holidays she had and this brings back good memories.

"We went to Mole Avon in Axminster and bought a bird feeder for her patio. She likes to look at the birds in her garden in the morning.

"We have been out for lunch to the Harbour Inn at Axmouth, where she enjoyed fish and chips. This is somewhere Pam used to go when her brother could visit. We went to the White Hart in Colyford twice as it was Pam's birthday and she liked the food.

"Pam has a special friend, who used to live near Pam before she moved into Dove Court. This friend still visits Pam and we recently met her at the river near Musbury. It was a lovely sunny day and they chatted for a long time outside watching people swimming in the river.

"We also went to the Donkey Sanctuary. It was lovely as we went with another carer and three other residents.

"Recently I helped Pam clear some clothes from her wardrobe, we sorted what was for recycling and for charity."

Pam has said that she 'loves being out looking at the sea' and enjoys the one-to-one time going to the pub for lunch.

Clearing out the clothes from her wardrobe was particularly significant to her and she said that she was 'pleased to help a local charity' by donating clothes that she no longer wears and which can benefit others.

Click here to find out more about Doveleigh Care on its website.