Over the last few days, Cumbria County Council’s care staff have been working day and night to make sure the most vulnerable people in residential care homes continue to receive the care they need during the affects of the weekend storm.
Many Cumbria Care staff worked additional hours to make sure that food and warmth was still provided in care homes across the county as well as helping with some evacuations. Some of the staff's family also gave a helping hand.
County councillor Tim Heslop, spokesman for Cumbria Care said:
"It would have been very difficult to provide the continued care that residents in our care homes needed over these last few days without the invaluable support from the county council's Cumbria Care staff. Some care homes only had a few staff on duty because of the bad weather so staff stayed on to do double shifts. Some staff who were off duty dropped everything and came in to provide additional help and support. Some even waded through water to cook for the residents. I would like to thank each and every one of the staff involved and their families for their dedication and support over this difficult time. We couldn't have done it without them."
Head of Cumbria Care, Cate Bowman said:
"I am delighted that Cumbria Care staff for both residential and home care services were able to respond so positively during this very difficult time. Several homes in the Carlisle and Eden areas were without power and heating for long periods yet we were able to keep service users well cared for, warm and well fed thanks to the sterling efforts of staff. The home care service was left without usual communication links but Cumbria Care staff were able to make contact with most service users to ensure they were OK. Efforts of staff, their families and the local communities have been absolutely outstanding and I cannot thank everyone enough."