Southminster Residential Home

This residential home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 40 older people, some living with dementia. At inspection, 20 people were using the service. The provider and staff demonstrated strong commitment to keeping people safe and minimizing infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff supported residents in maintaining contact with families and friends through video calls and a new visiting pod designed to reduce transmission risk. The home worked with a local organization to enhance communication with the outside community, arranging for residents to receive letters, Christmas parcels, and special visits such as an opera singer performing from the visiting pod. Staff worked collaboratively as a cohesive team, with one describing how "everyone pulls together and mucks in. Care is always on your mind, the people here become your family."