A visitor booth has been installed at a care home to allow family to visit residents for the first time in months.

The Utilita Energy Hub in Blackburn has funded and arranged to have a care home visitor booth built and installed at Branch Court Care Home.

The bespoke visitor booth will allow friends and family to visit care home residents behind a Covid-19 secure clear screen which can be accessed from a separate external door, so they do not need to enter the care home.

Restrictions lifted on March 8 allow one family member to visit their loved one and hold their hand. All visitors using the booth will still need to complete lateral flow tests to detect Covid-19 before entering the premise.

Caroleann Casey, Activity Co-ordinator at Branch Court Care Home, commented on the visitor booth funded by Utilita: “It's a lifeline, with families not being able to see their loved ones for almost 12 months, this will enable them to be close to their families.

"We can't wait to see this happen. All the residents and staff are thankful to the team at Utilita Energy Hub in Blackburn.”

Darryl Haworth, Hub Manager of the Utilita Energy Hub in Blackburn, commented: "With the booth, wider family members and friends can safely visit loved ones. We are so happy that we’ve been able to do this and make a difference for the care home.”