STAFF in a Ludlow care home are coming to the end of a stint of living in’to help protect the most vulnerable people from the Covid-19 outbreak.

When this happens, a new team will take over for an extended stay at Hendra House in Ludlow.

Older people and those with health conditions are by far more likely to be seriously ill or die if they get the virus and in a care home there are many people who are at greater risk both because of their age and other factors.

Nine care staff have been staying within Hendra House where there is a flat.

This has involved one of them missing her 14-year-old son’s birthday and another carer at the home went home just a few days early to be with her eight-year-old on his birthday.

“It is a tremendous example of going above and beyond and demonstrates how committed our people are to the health and safety of residents,” said Vince Burmingham, owner and manager of Hendra House.

“We made the decision because we are aware that when someone comes into Hendra House there is a greater risk of bringing the virus in with them.

“With our staff living in this risk is not there.”

He said that the home currently has 28 residents, two of them over the age of 100, and at the time of going to press all of the residents were well. One of the residents has been at Hendra House for 15 years.

“There is a huge community spirit amongst staff and residents,” added Mr Burmingham.

“This is home to our residents and we always remember that. We are also getting support from the community with people bringing in biscuits and treats.”

There have been many reports of care home staff all over the country struggling to get the personal protective equipment they need to do their job, but Mr Burmingham said that this was not the case at Hendra House.