A SPA has thrown its support behind front line County Durham care home staff this autumn.

As the region battles a second wave of coronavirus, The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel has teamed up with Belmont Grange Nursing Home to offer free treatments to carers.

The aim is to thank them for their tireless work in protecting some of society’s most vulnerable members, to ease stress and to help guard their skin from the effects of wearing PPE for long periods.

The spa is collaborating with Spanish skincare brand, Natura Bissé, to provide free 60-minute facials to 20 carers at Belmont Grange, at Broomside Lane, Durham.

Spa director Joanne Green said: “As we know, healthcare workers have suffered hugely through prolonged PPE use during long days of tireless work fighting the virus.

“They have also been under considerable emotional stress - so now it’s time for them to enjoy a little care.

“If one good thing has come out of this pandemic, it’s that people are working together and supporting each other where they can.

They are saving our skins so we are doing what we can to save theirs.”

June Shaw, manager at Belmont Grange, said The Spa’s offer had given her entire team “a real boost.

“The community spirit has been amazing and we have been very humbled by the support we have received throughout this very challenging and difficult time,” she said.

“We’re always very grateful for any support we are given, but when The Spa got in touch it was just so uplifting. You have no idea what it’s like to wear PPE day in, day out and so all of us here would like to say a very big thank you to The Spa at Ramside.”