A DUDLEY care home has converted its Covid visiting pod into a micro library for residents.

Netherton Green Care Home in Bowling Green Road, Netherton, created the pod during the pandemic so residents could have loved ones visit.

But with lockdowns long gone, the Advinia-run home has converted the facility into a micro library to give residents somewhere to read and have quiet time.

Activities co-ordinator Karen Winmill said: “I was chatting to some of the residents and trying to think of a positive thing to do with the Covid pod as it was just becoming an eyesore.

“I came up with the idea as we had so many books around the home, the residents thought it was a good idea as well and said it would be a good place to go and just relax with a book.”

Netherton councillor Damian Corfield said he thought the change of use was an “amazing” example of “turning a negative into a positive”.

He said: “Throughout lockdown this pod was used as an interaction hub for residents to speak to their loved ones safely from behind a screen.

“Now with the innovation of Karen and her staff it's been converted into a micro library where residents can take time out and read their favourite books.”

Cllr Corfield was joined by Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb at the official opening of the new facility.

The MP said: “It was an honour to go to Netherton Green with Damian and cut the ribbon on the new library. It is an innovative repurposing of the pod by the home and a great place to settle down and get absorbed in a good book.”