A CARE home in Ramsbottom is set to open a brand new ‘Covid secure lodge’, which will finally allow visitors to come and see their loved ones in safe, protective environment.

The Evaline Park Lodge will be a practical and innovative new way for family members to be able to meet and see those who reside in the home.

The lodge, at Lavender Hills, will be fitted with key safety measures, including separate entrances for residents and visitors, integrated amplification and a hearing loop communication system.

Other features include a fully-sealed anti-reflective perspex screen divider which provides appropriate safety without the need for personal protective equipment such as face masks, aprons or other items.

All features of the lodge are designed with the safety and comfort of those who will be using it in mind.

To that end, air conditioning and heating systems have been installed to ensure the lodge is always at an optimum temperature for meetings.

An automatic sanitisation system will also be used between each visit to prevent risk of contamination.

Lavender Hills care home manager Stacey Astin said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce our new visitation lodge.

"The work is nearly complete meaning our lovely residents will soon be able to spend time with their loved ones in a safe environment. as families are as much a part of our home as our residents.”

The lodge comes after the success of The Rawsthorne Retreat at other homes in the Millennium care group.

The Rawsthorne retreat was the first of it’s kind in the North West and has allowed both Millennium care homes to reopen for visits during the pandemic.

Evaline Park Lodge is set to open in the coming weeks and is named after RAF veteran Mrs Evaline Park - Lavender Hills longest standing resident.

Evaline turned 100 years old in July and celebrated her milestone birthday with staff at the home with a 1920s themed party.

While the birthday took place during lockdown, staff donned full PPE and made sure that Evaline still had something to smile about.

Evaline has not been able to sit down and have a cup of tea with her family since before the pandemic hit, so the new lodge named in her honour “will be the best birthday present she could wish for during these difficult times," say the home's staff.

An online poll had allowed the local Ramsbottom community, staff and relatives of those in the home to be a part in the decision making of the interior design of the lodge.

The winning theme was tartan and wood, which will give a cosy autumn feel to the design - very fitting for the time of year and appropriate for the beautiful views across the Rossendale Valley.

The lodge will feature on the care home's website with an online booking system, meaning people will be able to arrange a visit with your loved on at the click of a button.

Lavender Hills care come has a 9.7 score on carehome.co.uk and have a rating of 'good' in all areas with the Care Quality Commission.