Care home residents cast their vote in European election

ELDERLY care home residents have taken to the polling booths to cast their votes in the European election.

Staff at Ingleby Care Home, in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, wanted to ensure residents could exercise their right in the European election to vote despite their mobility issues.

Those keen to cast their vote were taken to their nearest polling station in wheelchairs by their carers.

Resident Sheila Colburn was among them. She said: “I couldn’t thank the staff enough for taking me to vote.

“I’ve always voted and didn’t know what would happen after moving to Ingleby Care Home, with my family working. I really appreciated the staff taking me.”

Resident Charlotte Stephenson added: “It’s nice we can still get to vote.”

Cassie McCloskey, unit manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “It was great to be able to take residents to the polling station and they were really happy to be able to vote.

“Moving into a care home, either due to lack of mobility or other issues, should not mean the end of their right to vote.

“Many residents still want to take part in elections and we are only too happy to support them to do so.”

Ingleby Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.