STAFF at a Ryde care home have moved in with the residents during the coronavirus crisis ­— and three are camping in the garden.

Nine of the 32 staff members working at Victoria House Care Home have made the altruistic decision to leave their homes and families and move in ­— to help mitigate the chances of residents contracting the virus.

The home houses 20 residents, most of whom are in their 80s, with one resident ­— Vera Bushell ­— 103 years old.

Registered manager Claire Leggett, deputy manager Trudi Chamberlain, head of care Holly Stringer, relief cook and night senior carer Sharon Simpson, bank carer Ella Kirk and carers Carolyn White, Sue Farmer, Jasmine Harris and Joel Checkley-Hill have all taken up residence at the home.

"I think we're the first care home to do it," said manager, Claire Leggett.

"All our residents are extremely high risk, and with that in mind, it's very much a case of what can we do to minimise the risk.

"To continue running as we were would have been a case of when will they get the virus, rather than if.

"We've got a couple of tents in the garden where three staff members have pitched up, and we've converted one of the lounges to accommodate four more of us.

"I'm sleeping in the hairdressing salon, which is a tiny room with a sink, and my deputy manager, Trudi, is staying in the office.

"The rest of our staff have been sent home to self isolate, and a few are on standby.

"We've got a fantastic team here, and at the end of the day, it's about keeping our residents alive.

"We're under no illusion that this is a weekend stay ­— we know we're in it for the long haul."

Thus far, none of the care home's residents have been tested for coronavirus, despite government assurances, and while Claire and her team have been contacted, no date has been set.

To make living conditions more manageable, and to provide a place of respite for staff on-site, Claire is hoping to borrow a campervan.

"Where we're beyond full capacity, it would be nice to have a place where staff can have a bit of breathing space not too far away," said Claire.

As well as a supplementary living quarters, the staff are also looking for PPE ­— namely gloves and aprons.

"We're coping for the moment," said Claire.

"But for how long ­— I don't know."

Anyone that can help Claire and her team ­— be it providing a temporary home, PPE, or even donating fruit and vegetables, which are especially difficult to buy from supermarkets at present ­— should email claire@vichouse.co.uk

UPDATE: 

Victoria House Care Home has already been inundated with support from individuals and businesses across the Isle of Wight. 

Two caravans have already been donated — one from Susie Jo Anna of Cowes, and another from Steve Porter driver, Martin Graves — and are being delivered to the home tomorrow (Saturday). 

"It's the least I can do for them," said Susie, who works in childrens services at the Isle of Wight Council.

Meanwhile, Becky Fox, of The Yarbridge Inn, Brading, has delivered lunch to the residents and staff.