On Monday, the Minister of Social Care Helen Whately MP made her first visit to a care home since COVID-19 in support of Care Home Open Week, which runs from 28 June-4 July. The Minister’s visit to Karuna Manor Care Home in Harrow, London, was allowed to move forward with an intensive COVID-19 safety procedure and a 99% vaccination rate amongst residents. 

The Minister took part in a mindfulness session with residents and had a tour of Karuna Manor where she met with key residents, visiting families and care workers in the facility. Minister Whately was welcomed to the care home with traditional floral garland and took home a taste of Karuna from the resident chef.

After the visit, Minister Helen Whately tweeted: "Fabulous to visit Karuna Manor Care Home to see what a wonderful job they are doing caring for residents – and to hear from relatives how the care home has kept them in contact during the pandemic. A great way to start Care Home Open Week 2021." 

Ruth Kigaa, Karuna Manor Manager, commented: “Care Home Open Week has brought more excitement to our Home than we could have imagined. We would like to express our gratitude to the TLC team and our friends and family who have shown us continued support during the pandemic. All of us at Karuna Manor are privileged to host Minister Helen Whately into our home and it was wonderful to watch her partake in our mindfulness session with our residents.”

Karuna Manor is one of more than 400 care homes participating in this year’s Care Home Open Week which aims to encourage communities to celebrate and thank care workers who remained on the frontline throughout the pandemic and showcase the resilience of the many unique care home residents.