Joy at Mansfield Care Homes as outdoor trips make a welcome return

Mansfield Care Home residents at Belleville Lodge in Edinburgh’s leafy south side were given a warm welcome by staff at their local bar and bistro, for their first trip out since the recent lockdown ended. The short five-minute walk to The Salisbury Arms was also an opportunity to say hello to neighbours and enjoy the beautiful gardens en route.

After making their reservations in advance and complying with the covid-19 rules around ‘track and trace’ and wearing of masks, residents sat in the beer garden of The Salisbury Arms under sunny skies and enjoyed nibbles and refreshments while watching the world go by. Some drank coffee and sipped white wine spritzers while Belleville Lodge resident Joe noted that his cold pint of lager was “Just lovely!” It was also a chance to catch up with the bistro staff after the lockdown and enjoy a more normal day out in relaxing surroundings.

With plenty of cafes and eateries close to Belleville Lodge, care home visitors often take residents out for a treat – something that has been missed during the pandemic.

Belleville Lodge care staff hope to continue to take small groups of residents out once or twice a week to some of their favourite local haunts, as virus restrictions ease.

Belleville Lodge matron Margaret Russell said: “These trips out are great for residents, and for the staff too, who see how much the residents enjoy themselves. With summer approaching, we’ll be planning picnics on Arthur’s Seat and visits to the Chinese garden at Abden House, just a little distance from Belleville Lodge.”

Meanwhile, residents have recently spent time in the Belleville Lodge garden, deciding which flowers should brighten up the troughs and planters for the summer. With a wealth of gardening experience between them, residents decided on a range of geraniums and lobelias, with robustness and particular colours in mind. They spent a morning clearing out last year’s plants and planting out the new stock, enjoying the chance to be outdoors, get hands-on and discuss their own gardens. They took special care to relocate a group of slugs who had taken up residence in one of the troughs, making sure they were a good distance from the new flowers.

Matron Margaret noted: “The residents go out into the garden every few days to check up on the plants and to see how they’re growing. They loved the morning being outdoors and doing something they really enjoyed.”