Celebrations as Wick daycare centre reopens
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It was a day to celebrate as Wick's Laurandy Centre reopened to the skirl of the pipes and a round of applause from staff yesterday morning.
The popular daycare centre for vulnerable elderly people, based at the airport's industrial estate, welcomed back its service users after closing its doors back in March 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
On Tuesday morning – just before the official ribbon-cutting moment – the manager of the Laurandy Centre, Tracy Mackay, said: "Today is the official reopening of the day centre for our service users.
"We have been providing support to people out in the community in their own homes but today is the first day they can come back into the centre to receive the care and support that they require."
Located at the airport industrial estate, Laurandy is a third sector organisation providing day support for vulnerable older people in need of care. It is registered with the Care Inspectorate and commissioned by the NHS under contract to provide a day support service.
There are 13 staff and the building can accommodate more than 20 users daily. Tracy said that the centre is registered for 24 service users a day but won't be reopening at its full capacity just yet.
"It was awful having to close but everyone knew we couldn't just stop the service, " said Tracy.
"All the staff have been really good by going to people's homes with garden visits and making telephone calls as well as giving out activity packs. The community have been really good and supportive too by giving us meals, cakes and biscuits to deliver as well as giving money and organising afternoon teas."
Young piper Chester Henry provided music for the special occasion and played some traditional tunes on his bagpipes as the first service users made their way in. One of the regulars at the centre, Wilma Donaldson, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening and all the staff present gave a cheery round of applause.
Laurandy's reopening plans were accepted during a remobilising assurance meeting at the end of April. The online meeting was attended by Jackie Hodges, the NHS Highland service lead for adult social care, as well as the Care Inspectorate and other NHS representatives.
The reopening plans involve risk assessments for the daily routine of operating the service within all appropriate infection control procedures as directed by government guidelines.
Referrals are also up and running again and anyone interested should contact the social work department on 01955 604134
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Wick daycare centre is getting ready for reopening
