Safe visitor 'pods' at Featherstone care home attracting national attention

Vicarage Court in Featherstone has constructed the first of two booths offering people the chance to speak face-to-face, but in complete safety.

Built in the home’s lounge, they allow visitors to enter through the external French doors and sit face to face with their relative sitting on the opposite side of a Perspex screen.

Due to demand the home is now planning to build a second pod, while the idea has also caught the attention of the public attracting more than 2.3 million views on Facebook.

Jag Singh, director at the Vicarage Gardens home, said: “We’ve had thousands of positive comments and care homes nationally are contacting us about it.

“It may encourage other homes to build these and allow families to visit their loved ones.

“For the cost of about £800, it’s only wood, boards and Perspex, but it will make a huge difference. The residents are over the moon.

“When relatives have visited, we find the residents’ motivation and mental health is massively better. The pods are totally sealed so there’s no risk to any residents.

“We have a material screen to be put behind the residents chair, when visiting is in place, so they have complete privacy.”

Opening the first pod this week, demand is so great that all of the 30-minute visiting slots are booked up for the next two weeks.

The second pod is also under construction.

Thin Perspex has been used so sound can pass through easily, although an intercom could be installed if there are any issues.

A meeting is also scheduled with Wakefield Council who may look to endorse such pods at other care homes.