A team of care givers have received special gifts to help relieve some of the strain of wearing face masks all day.

Swanscombe-based Home Instead Senior Care Dartford have been hard at work during the pandemic providing assistance to vulnerable older residents in their own homes.

The care workers provide a range of services including shopping, meal prep and assistance with dressing, bathing, eating and medications.

Visits vary from one hour up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

But some temporary relief was provided this month courtesy of owners Christina Uppenkamp and Ram Thapa, who together with their two young boys, hand delivered gift boxes to thank them for their hard work.

The uplifting packages included chocolates, biscuits, crisps, a candle, a carer badge and a thank you note, among other surprises.

Also included were some facemask adapters, made by Christina, to help eliminate sore ears from wearing facemasks throughout the day.

The team also sent the adapters to Darent Valley Hospital and delivered a batch to neighbouring Home Instead Greenwich & Bexley.

Christina said: “We just wanted to say a really big thank you to our amazing caregivers, who always go above and beyond for the community, supporting our clients.

"Our hope is that the gift boxes bring a smile to their faces as a little gift of appreciation.”

“As we know, this has been quite a difficult time for everyone, but we are happy that we have been able to continue to support vulnerable members of the community."

One caregiver said: “I truly love little surprises like that. They really mean so very much. You’re so very thoughtful and caring.”

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