A NURSING home manager described her care staff as “real troupers” as she surprised them with gifts in celebration of Carers Week.

Carers Week, which runs until Sunday, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities, highlight the vital role carers play in our communities and draw attention to just how important caring is.

At Queen Charlotte Care Home, in Chickerell Road, Chickerell, manager Moira Stevens arranged treats for staff to mark the occasion.

Becky Binfield, housekeeper at the Kingsley Healthcare-run home, made a delicious fruit-topped cake for care staff to share while activities coordinator Mollie Roby put together goodie bags for them containing a range of items, including sweets, hand cream, hot chocolate sachets, face wash and hand wipes.

Care home manager Moira Stevens said: “We have been very lucky during the pandemic as we have only had one significant outbreak of Covid in the home and suffered no deaths.

“However, the last 14 months has been a challenging time for everyone with the necessary restrictions on visiting.

“My staff have had their down points like everyone else but they have been real troupers in the way they have kept morale up and carried on; they have played a vital role in supporting residents who could not see their loved ones during the lockdowns.”