Residents Reunited with Loved Ones for the First Time Since Lockdown

Crouched Friar’s residents have been overjoyed to be reunited with their loved ones for the first time since the start of lockdown.

The new measures in place at our Colchester care home have enabled families to visit their loved ones face-to-face, in a safe environment.

Like many other care homes, we closed our doors to all but essential visitors at the start of the pandemic to protect our residents.

Our home, which has so far avoided having any COVID-19 related cases among staff or residents, is following strict safety procedures, with all visits being carefully organised by our manager in the garden, observing the two-metre social distancing rule.

Paulina Eagle, home manager at here at Crouched Friars, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to introduce socially-distanced visits into Crouched Friars.

“Residents have really missed seeing their relatives face to face regularly. So, we’re overjoyed to make this happen again in a safe environment. We can already see the positive impact it’s having. It has given a much-needed boost to many of our residents and their families.

“We’re all looking forward to the day when we can welcome relatives back into our home. But until then, we hope that our garden visits will make it a bit easier for our residents and their families.”

Our staff have worked hard to ensure that residents have had regular contact with their families by phone or video call. However, close up, face to face conversations have not been possible.

Among the residents thrilled to be able to have visitors again was Anthony Judge, who was delighted to see his daughter Arline Bland.

Arline, who was very emotional after her visit, commented:

“It was great to see dad looking so well and content. He didn’t seem to have been affected by us not visiting over the last three months. He gave me the thumbs up, which was rather emotional.

“The team at Crouched Friars have worked so hard, particularly over the last few months, ensuring residents feel calm and assured at all times. Thank you to all.”

Crouched Friars is also pleased to be welcoming new residents. We have specific procedures in place to continue to support families who are looking for care for a loved one, whilst minimising the risk for residents and staff.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Crouched Friars Residential Home, our team would love to speak with you. Based in Colchester, we provide a welcoming environment for older people to live in comfortably.

Contact us on 01206 572647 or email info@crouchedfriars.co.uk

< Back to news

Latest News

The Wellbeing Benefits of Fresh Air for Residents in Later Life

Posted on July 14th, 2026

There is something quietly powerful about stepping out into daylight, feeling a breeze, or hearing birdsong. For older adults, particularly those living with dementia, regular access to the outdoors plays a meaningful role in supporting both emotional and physical wellbeing. While indoor environments can offer comfort and safety, it is often the outdoors that provides […]

Read more >

What a Really Good Day in Care Looks Like at Crouched Friars

Posted on June 17th, 2026

A good day is not defined by a single standard. If you were to ask ten different residents at Crouched Friars what made their day special, you would receive ten unique perspectives. For one, it might be the simple pleasure of watching a robin from the window; for another, the joy of recalling a long-forgotten […]

Read more >

You don’t stop being you: preserving identity in care

Posted on April 14th, 2026

There is a question that sits quietly at the heart of every family’s decision about dementia care: will the person I love still feel like themselves? It is a question born from love and it deserves a genuine answer. At Crouched Friars, our answer is yes. Because preserving identity is not a feature of what […]

Read more >

Early Signs of Dementia Families Often Miss

Posted on March 20th, 2026

Recognising dementia in someone you love is rarely straightforward. The earliest signs often look like ordinary forgetfulness, a change in mood or simply the natural rhythms of getting older. For many families, there is a significant gap between noticing that something feels different and understanding what that difference might mean. Being informed about what to […]

Read more >

Why Emotional Connection Matters Just as Much as Care

Posted on February 25th, 2026

At Crouched Friars, we believe that truly caring for someone with dementia means more than attending to their physical needs. It means seeing the whole person: their history, their humour, their preferences and the things that make them feel like themselves. Physical care is essential, of course. But emotional connection is what transforms a care […]

Read more >