Wiltshire Liberal Democrats are calling for free postage to care homes this Christmas in a year where many care homes have been left out in the cold.
This comes after the Irish Postal Service, An Post, has announced it will carry letters, large envelopes, packets and parcels up to 2kg addressed to residents in nursing and care homes for free until the end January next year.
Now, Lib Dems across Wiltshire are calling on the Royal Mail to follow the lead of the Irish postal service and allow free postage to care homes. Parcels from loved ones could be the only thing they get this Christmas.
Westbury cllr, Gordon King, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health and adult social care said, “The Coronavirus outbreak has left many people who live in care homes cut off from contact with their loved ones. With uncertainty around a lockdown over Christmas, it is more important more than ever for residents to have something from their families if they can’t see them in person.
“Introducing free postage for care homes into the New Year would be a huge help. This will help keep family and friends in contact during what could be such a lonely time for many.”
Debbie Sawyer, a former care worker who now works part-time doing home visits said, “I look after people at the moment who are worried about going into a home, as they are scared that they will be cut off from their friends and family.
“This initiative will help those in care homes across Wiltshire at such a devastating time.”
