RESIDENTS at Balclutha Court care home are enjoying garden visits with their families.

Staff at Barchester Healthcare, who run Balclutha, have been working behind the scenes to prepare for socially distanced visits.

Alison Dickson, general manager at the home, said: “This has been a much welcomed development in what have been very strange times.

"The visits are safe and organised, and it was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents."

June Campbell, whose mother Rhona, 86, lives at Balclutha had been receiving daily Skype calls from the start of lockdown.

She said: "The calls have been invaluable as we could see mum and have a chat every day.

"It looks so funny seeing her with her headphones on.

"Obviously at first we didn't know how long this was going on for but the calls have now been continuing for nineteen weeks.

"If I hadn't had that means of communication it would have been heart-breaking.

"We as a family are so indebted to all the staff at the care home.

"They have kept all the residents safe and have had to continue working under extreme circumstances."