Coronavirus – one year on

Over the past year, our staff, the people we support and their friends and family have had to deal with challenges they could never have prepared for. Coronavirus outbreaks, self isolation, and missing loved ones you haven’t seen for months – there have been so many difficult moments for all of us. But, in the face of these most challenging times, FitzRoy has found a way to not only survive, but to thrive.

Our staff have tapped into their creative side and have found ways to keep communication between the people we support and their loved ones alive, day services that have had to close have been recreated in our very own services, and our support workers have shown determination like we have never seen before. The people we support have been resilient when things have been daunting, and friends and family have been supportive even with the distance between them and their loved ones.

We want to say an enormous thank you. To all our staff, the people we support and their friends and family. And everyone who has been rooting for us to get through this awful year as unscathed as possible. Together we are stronger. And we couldn’t be where we are are today without all of you.

Thank you.

Looking back over the past twelve months, we are so proud of what we have managed to achieve. Here are just a few of the stories.

Self isolating with the people we support

Even in the early days of the pandemic, our support workers jumped into action to protect the people we support. When Charlotte fell ill in Norfolk with suspected coronavirus, her support workers Sam, James and Emily didn’t hesitate when they insisted they go into self isolation with her to ensure she received the best support possible.

Recreating routines

Staff continued to channel our value ‘We Are Creative’ with every aspect of lockdown, and for Craig, his ‘McDonalds Tuesdays’ were a much loved part of his weekly routine. Knowing this, staff at our Cambridgeshire service in Mayfield recreated the takeout with their own home-cooked McDonalds meal in packaging they had been given from their local branch so that Craig could still enjoy his weekly burger.

Facing a coronavirus outbreak

As well as having to be creative, our staff have also had to be brave in the face of a coronavirus outbreak. This is what happened at our Coventry service Shirlett Close, after one resident and four staff members tested positive in June.

Service manager Penny said: “Everyone pulled together so well and covered the shifts between them while putting aside their own personal worries or concerns. I couldn’t be prouder of my staff. We made sure that above all, the people we support and our colleagues were protected.”

Moving home during a pandemic

Audrey moved into Linden Cottage in East Sussex. Deputy manager Dean said: “It was a really difficult time for Audrey to move home, but, despite all the challenges and changes to her routine, Audrey settled in really quickly.

“Audrey has really brought life to Linden Cottage, everyone loves her energy and I am so proud of my team for making her move so seamless.”

Leaving family over Christmas to keep the people we support safe

Over Christmas, our team at our Suffolk supported living home decided to give up Christmas and New Year with their families and move into the home after a coronavirus outbreak. Deputy manager Harry said: “My team were just brilliant through the whole thing, and so far our tests has come back negative thanks to their hard work in keeping coronavirus out. There is no way I could have managed on my own.” Read more here.