Yesterday, 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. 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. Karuna Manor, along with the other TLC Care Homes is one of more than 400 care homes participating in this year’s Care Home Open Week.
The Minister took part in a Mindfulness session with residents and had a tour of Karuna Manor where she met residents, visiting families and team members who work within the home. Minister Whately was welcomed to the care home with traditional floral garland, as each resident who moves into the home is, and took home a taste of Karuna from the resident chef.
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.”
Minister Helen Whately took to Twitter after the event and wrote: “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.”
Care Home Open Week, from June 28th-July 4th, encourages 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. Many events held during the week will connect communities to their local care homes through volunteering events or informational discussions about the care sector.
Jonathan Freeman, CEO of the CareTech Foundation, Founding Patron of Championing Social Care said,
“Social care is provided in so many settings up and down the country, playing a key role in the fabric of local communities. We are delighted that the Social Care Minister took the opportunity of her visit to the fantastic Karuna Manor Care home ”
Events, both virtual and socially distanced, are taking place throughout many counties in the UK and most certainly within the TLC portfolio. The events include virtual tours of participating care homes, informative seminars, Dementia cafés, teddy bear picnics and much more! Karuna Manor will also be hosting a Chelsea flower show, a nutritional cooking session with Head Chef Elton, and more.
About Karuna Manor
Karuna Manor is a luxurious care home, part of the TLC Care group, based in Harrow with a focus on spirituality and quality of life. The home offers private en-suite rooms, a magnificent temple, paying homage to all faiths, and delicious Gujarati food. The attention to detail at Karuna makes for an unmatched award-winning experience.
Lorna Badrick, COO at TLC Care, commented,
“We are delighted to be in the position to welcome community members back into our homes again with intensive COVID-19 safety measures in place. The work of the Social Care sector is a poignant element to our society and Care Home Open Week has brought excitement back into our TLC family after a difficult year.”
MP Helen Whately, Minister for Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, visits TLC Care’s Karuna Manor care home in Harrow. 
Arrival 
COVID-19 secure visit, with PPE and LTD testing 
Traditional welcoming 
Garden tour 
Garden tour 
MP Helen Whately, meeting the TLC Karuna Manor team 
Dining room tour 
MP Helen Whately, meeting residents 
Discussing life at Karuna with residents during activities 
MP Helen Whately, on a tour with Care Home Manager, Ruth Kigaa 
MP Helen Whately, on a tour with Care Home Manager, Ruth Kigaa 
Visiting onsite facilities such as hair and nail salon 
Visiting the onsite cinema room 
Visiting the therapy room 
This year’s Care Home Open Week is organised by Championing Social Care, a volunteer-led organisation that aims to ensure a wider and deeper public understanding, appreciation and respect for social care. The week is sponsored by Civitas Investment Management and Virgin Money.
About TLC Care
TLC Care takes pride in enriching communities by delivering outstanding care and offering an enhanced wellbeing programme in sociable, homely environments. Through a one-team approach, the TLC family deliver services from respite care to end of life support with resident-focused care and services. To view their care home portfolio, please visit www.tlccare.co.uk
About Championing Social Care
Championing Social Care is a volunteer-led group of leaders from across the social care sector. The initiative’s vision is to ensure a wider and deeper public understanding, appreciation and respect for social care, with a focus on delivering positive stories and initiatives about the sector. Championing Social Care is also responsible for organising the Care Sector Fundraising Ball, #SparkleForSocialCare and the Care Sector’s Got Talent events.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information, please contact: Raj Kerai, Community Development Manager at Karuna Manor 020 8861 9600 \ [email protected]
For additional information in relation to TLC Care Marketing, please contact: Sym Jaj, Digital Marketing and Communications Manager TLC Care on 0208 863 4637 \ [email protected]
