SINCE Alzheimer’s Support resumed home visits at the beginning of May, its support workers have been back doing what they do best – offering relief to families who need it. And thanks to good supplies of personal protective equipment, the number of visits just keep growing, from just 27 a week at the end of March to 163 now.

For some of those the charity supports lockdown has been a testing, frightening and increasingly desperate time. Staff in turn have had to overcome some personal fears as they faced this next stage in the Covid-19 challenge.

However, the charity’s work is all about social interaction, relationship building, sharing jokes, smiles and tears and they stepped up to provide an invaluable service.

Support worker Caroline was happy to start visiting Edwin once more and he was delighted to see her.

He hadn’t let anyone into the home he shares with his son since the beginning of lockdown. Caroline said: “We did some gardening together and Edwin helped with the strimming. We had a lovely afternoon.”

Edwin’s daughter, who lives in the north, was pleased and relieved to see Caroline return. She said: “I’m so happy to see him doing what he loves. I’ve only been able to speak once on phone and am really missing him.”

Meanwhile, the first visit of Richard and Tina Vivien’s support worker, Layla, since lockdown began was greeted with fun, laughter and complete exhaustion - as Layla struggled to keep up on their cycle ride together.

“It was fantastic to meet up again,” said Layla. “First Richard and I went for a walk around the canal, so I could work out a cycling route for us. We did about 6,000 steps. Richard then had lunch and we went out on our bikes afterwards. We did four miles between Bradford on Avon and Avoncliff. To see him ride a bike is fantastic, he’s very fit and very fast.”

Layla's visit also gave Richard’s wife, Tina, a bit of time to herself. Tina said: “It was great to see Layla again and people thought she was very entertaining puffing away in her mask and calling Richard back! She was dead tired afterwards."

Layla added: “I’ll certainly be wearing exercise gear when we meet up again!”

To find out more about Alzheimer’s Support’s Home Support service, visit alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/Pages/Category/support-at-home