Knowsley based Livv Housing Group is helping residents in their sheltered schemes feel the love this lockdown Valentine’s Day by sending gifts and a special message to all 700 customers.
Recognising that the past 11 months have been a difficult time due to coronavirus restrictions – with many residents staying indoors for the majority of the time – Livv has this year ensured that they will each receive a box of chocolates and Valentine’s Day card on February 14th.
The 700 cards contain a message to remind residents that Livv Housing Group is thinking about them during the pandemic, as well as helping raise their spirits during Lockdown 3.0.
The communal spaces of Extra Care schemes The Watchfactory in Prescot and Crawford Gardens in Huyton have also been decorated with Valentine’s Day posters and banners, and flowers have been delivered to the reception areas, brightening up the spaces visited by residents.
Watchfactory resident John with his Valentine’s Day gift
Martina Devlin, Head of Independent Living, said: “We’re very aware of the potential impact the national lockdown measures have had on our customers in all of our facilities, especially when many of them have spent a great deal of the past 11 months indoors.
“We hope that recognising Valentine’s Day will help keep our residents’ spirits up and is just one of the ways we have strived to bring a smile to their faces in this uncertain period where many are unable to see their loved ones.
“At Livv Housing Group we are always committed to supporting our residents and helping them to live happy, healthy and independent lives. During these unprecedented times our aim is to emphasise this message and let them know we are on-hand and pleased to assist if we can help them in any way.”
In light of current coronavirus restrictions, Livv Housing Group has provided a number of activities that can be done within social distance guidance but help to entertain residents and prevent them feeling isolated.
These include all residents receiving a Royal British Legion poppy poster for their windows for Remembrance Day, the delivery of Christmas packages made up of festive food, treats, fresh fruit and vegetables, and ‘beat the boredom bundles’ containing chair exercise booklets, jigsaws, crossword puzzles, and quizzes.
Valentine’s Day – or St Valentine’s Day – is widely known to be named after a famous saint and, while there are various different legends associated with him, they all emphasise his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and romantic figure.
History shows the custom of sending Valentine greetings dates as far back as the Middle Ages. A poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, is thought to be the oldest known Valentine still in existence. He sent it to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
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