Social Care News

Care homes turn into polling stations to allow residents easy access to vote

Residents at two South Wales care homes doubled up as polling stations for the Welsh Assembly Elections on May 5 enabling 150 residents to vote in the comfort of their own living room.

The lounge at Bryn Celyn Care Home in Maesteg Park, Maesteg, and the coffee shop at Ty Enfys Care Home in Pentwyn, Cardiff, were used as polling stations after the homes, which specialise in residential, nursing and dementia care, agreed to open their homes for public use. Both homes are part of Hallmark Care Homes which has 15 care homes across England and Wales.

General manager at Bryn Celyn Care Home in Maesteg, Mary Richard, said: “As a care provider we work hard to ensure our residents build and keep their relationships with the local community. When the opportunity came up to be a polling station we were thrilled as we knew our residents would love to get involved in the election process.”

Bryn Celyn resident Ivor Morris Grey, 91, said: “The polling station is very convenient and I feel valued as a resident.”