Couple offer accommodation to Conquest Hospital nurse to protect her vulnerable parents

Sophie Hodges was completing shifts at the hospital and returning to the family home in Robertsbridge, where she lives with her parents Maggie and Chris Hodges.

However, as her parents are in poor health - her mum in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and he dad being a type-1 diabetic - Sophie felt anxious when the coronavirus outbreak and nervous that she would potentially bring it home.

She would wear gloves the whole time she was at home after finishing a shift at hospital and would disinfect every surface she touched.

She even wore a mask to bed but, as the Covid-19 cases continued to increase in East Sussex, Sophie became more urgent to find alternative accommodation.

That was when she was put in contact with Ed and Claire Sayer from Netherfield who offered her accommodation on their farm.

Sophie said: "The Conquest (ESHT) finance team were great with communicating and assisting me in accessing somewhere for me to keep my family safe. I was promptly placed in contact with Ed and Claire sayer from Netherfield farm.

"Ed and Claire Sayer were instantly encouraging , supportive and welcoming to me when I first made contact."

The couple acquired their farm eight years ago, which at the time was run down and near derelict. Since then they have returned the 32 acres into a small livestock farm producing cattle, sheep, lambs, pigs and chickens.

They had no farming experience and spent their recent years gaining knowledge, qualifications and skills within farming culture.

Sophie added: "The farm is absolutely beautiful and they have a five star environmental health authority rating at their local meat farm shop.

"Additionally, they have three stunning holiday lets which I am lucky enough to be staying in - Poachers View, where I am staying, used to be an old hay barn and has given me more than I could possible need to feel comforted and at home at this chaotic time. It’s even won an award last year from its holiday letting agent.

"Ed and Claire are amazing people who greet me with a big smile each day, deliver meat and parcels to my door and I feel I have a friendly safe environment to be amongst at this uncertain time.

"The whole family have been so kind, they have welcomed me to join them in releasing their cows from pen to field and have even given me some of their homemade limoncello, which was delicious may I add.

"People like Ed and Claire are pure credits to our community. Such expressions of selflessness and courage I feel should be acknowledged and couples like themselves should be celebrated constantly.

"I will be forever grateful for the kindness they have shown me and would encourage anyone to come support and return the compassion they have shown me."