Disability charity Leonard Cheshire has saluted the ’unsung heroes’ fighting coronavirus isolation on the front lines.

The charity’s Isle of Man service manager Jan Farrell told of ’unprecedented challenges’ in the social care sector.

For people with disabilities here, visits from friends and family offer a lifeline for their wellbeing during the crisis.

But with Covid-19 affecting all health services, staff at disabled charity Leonard Cheshire are stepping forward to offer support to their live-in residents.

Ms Farrell said: ’Our staff are working under incredible pressure.

’These are unprecedented times. The pressure of ensuring people adhere to physical distancing in addition to delivering high quality care is of course a challenge.’

With communication with loved ones so important for the people they support, the charity is embracing the latest technology to keep residents involved in day-to-day communication with the outside world.

Ms Farrell said: ’We’re having to find new ways to ensure they can communicate with loved ones and watching our staff rise to the challenge of these toughest of times has been truly inspiring.

’One of the most vital services the team are helping our tenants with now is keeping vital lines of communication open with loved ones who are unable to call in and visit now. The use of assistive technology is really coming into its own during this crisis.

’Many people in isolation take these things for granted but, for our team, it’s very much a case of assisting the residence and helping them with these kind of technologies in a hands-on way.

’Our staff are using every technology available to combat residents’ isolation and loneliness from helping them with WhatsApp and video to guiding them through Skype and telephone calls.’

Ms Farrell added the charity had diversified its outreach programme during the crisis.

She said: ’Within our outreach team, our staff have completely transformed the service that we provide.

’The team have been innovative and imaginative in the ways they have used digital media to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. The outreach and community teams have also stepped up to support their colleagues in The Quinney.

’They have gone through new intensive training to be able to cover shifts if staff are having to self-isolate and shield during Covid and their willingness and commitment to support each other is very much appreciated.

’Watching the way our staff have pulled together, often combatting their own fears and concerns for their own families, to protect and support our services users has been truly inspiring and I am grateful for the hard work and commitment of our team.

’Some of our service users have some form of independence but, as a result of the restrictions, they’ve become more reliant on us both physically and emotionally. That’s where our staff are really stepping up to the plate and helping to fill some of that void.

’These incredible staff are spending vital time with people in the face of uncertainty, considering day opportunities are no longer available to them.

’Their efforts include meeting the needs of our tenants by ensuring they have essential care needs met which can include many aspects of life that we take for granted such as ordering shopping or meals and other care and support including medication and personal care.’