A Cheltenham care home is poised to become one of the first specialist dementia facilities to reopen its respite care facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Queensbridge, which has remained opened throughout the pandemic and had no reported cases of COVID-19, will offer respite care for up to six weeks from September 1.

Around 1,500 people are living with dementia in the town, around a quarter of them with advanced dementia.

Manager Lisa Stanton said: "We're delighted to be able to safely welcome back respite care residents and to once again help families, many of whom have gone through lockdown having to care for a loved one day and night with little support or rest."

Twice daily temperature checks, regular sanitising and testing for staff and residents, social distancing between residents and staff wearing necessary PPE equipment at all times are among the stringent measures in place since the start of the pandemic.

With the respite care facility opening, extra steps have been introduced with a separate entrance to for respite residents and direct access to the garden, plus temperature checks and Covid swab tests on arrival.

During lockdown, Queensbridge carers maintained contact with the families of respite residents to check in on their wellbeing and to provide any caring advice.

Lisa Stanton said: "We are all about caring for the individual by people that care - where families can leave their loved ones with the peace of mind that they are in a loving, friendly and compassionate place where people living with dementia can thrive.

"A third of our team members have been with us for over 10 years and our Household Approach means we create a nurturing place where we understand the feelings of those we care for and where people can be free to be themselves.

"It's great that all our residents can once again enjoy and benefit from all the activities and entertainment they love here, including our popular garden singer and musician which will once again play for our residents."