Continuing to care through coronavirus

We remain open to new residents during lockdown.

At Anchor care homes we have a proud history of caring for those in later life, putting residents at the heart of everything we do.

With over 50 years’ experience, the safety of those living and working in our care homes has always been our priority – never more so than today.

And while the way we do things has changed slightly due to coronavirus, our quality care and the wellbeing of residents remains our primary focus. You can rest assured for that we’re here to support you and your loved one every step of the way.

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Making an enquiry

To start your enquiry, simply search for an Anchor care home near you and use the make an enquiry options or call on 0800 731 2020.

We’ll provide you with full details of the home or homes that you’re interested in, along with any other information you’d like, such as sample menus and activity schedules.

While we can’t currently invite you to visit in person, a member of our friendly team can offer you a virtual show round, a video call or a FaceTime appointment, where you can speak to them one-to-one and take a look around the home and any rooms that are available.

Example of a show round virtual tour video

We’re keen to show you what daily life is like here and for you to meet the staff providing care. You can also see for yourself the measures we’ve put in place to keep residents safe.

If you wish to take your enquiry further, an assessment will take place to make sure we can meet your loved one’s care needs. This will be arranged in a safe way by the senior care management team at the home and may be conducted virtually or at a safe social distance with the staff member wearing the required PPE.

Welcoming new residents safely

Ensuring residents’ safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority. 

We’ll put together a comprehensive two-week settling-in programme with you and your loved one, designed entirely around their needs. This provides a dedicated package of one-to-one activities and support that minimises the potential for cross-infection. We’ll use this time to get to know each other and, most importantly, ensure there are plenty of opportunities to maintain regular contact with family and friends using the latest video call technology. 

Our chef will arrange delicious meals to suit your loved one’s preferences and dietary requirements and discuss our menus going forward. And, from day one of moving in, our housekeeping teams make sure bedrooms and laundry services are tailored to their needs.

The home manager will discuss every area of moving-in with you in detail to make sure you and your loved one know exactly what to expect and feel confident and welcomed when they come to live with us.

Coronavirus testing

Our homes were among the first in the country to take part in the government’s care home testing programme in July 2020 – and we’ve been regularly testing colleagues and residents since.

• All care home colleagues are routinely tested twice every week
• All residents are tested on admission to the home and then routinely every 28 days 

With residents’ safety and wellbeing our absolute priority, we want to assure you that we’re doing everything possible to prevent coronavirus entering our homes.

COVID-19 vaccinations

We are pleased that care home residents and workers have been prioritised to be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The roll-out to Anchor care homes is underway with vaccination teams coming into the home to administer the vaccine.

All new residents will also be prioritised for a vaccination on move-in.

Each of our homes is different so please speak directly to the manager of the care home you’re interested in.

Experts in infection control

Like any other infectious disease, coronavirus can be prevented from spreading with the right training, equipment and infection-control measures.

We are well equipped and have good stocks of high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) which complies with government requirements.

Our in-house team are highly trained and experienced in ensuring a clean and safe environment and committed to protecting everyone living and working in our home through the consistent use of infection control measures. These measures include regular hand washing, social distancing, putting on clean uniforms upon arrival and the proper use of appropriate PPE.

As members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), we take cleaning and cleanliness extremely seriously. We use the highest-quality products and are following an enhanced programme of cleaning.

Visiting your loved one

We understand how important visits are for everyone concerned and remain committed to them happening. Throughout the pandemic we’ve been doing everything we can to enable residents to see relatives and loved ones wherever it is safe, appropriate, and in line with Public Health England guidance.

Our teams have worked hard to facilitate visits in our gardens and external areas at some of our homes and, where full safety criteria has been met and local health protection advice permits, we now have an inside visiting space with a screen. 

Of course, this is all subject to changes in government guidance and local lockdown restrictions.

We will always permit visits in exceptional circumstances.

Each of our homes is different and you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly to the Manager of the care home you’re interested in.

In these challenging times we’ve invested significantly in technology – such as Skype and FaceTime– so you can stay in regular touch.

Continuing to love later life 

During this difficult time, we’re keeping life as normal as possible so residents feel safe, secure, and happy.

Which means your loved one can expect great fresh food, a wealth of activities and friendly company.
Residents continue to enjoy delicious, freshly-made meals every day, with a choice of menu daily, prepared by our expert catering teams.

Our creative activity programmes, developed by our in-house team of wellness coordinators, aims to keep residents as active and healthy as possible, should they wish to take part, ranging from person-centred activities to home-wide events.