UK Lockdown 2020
We have been celebrating birthdays, making the most of the dry weather by gardening and coming together to learn new skills in Makaton. The time we are sharing now has provoked a whole range of emotions including some positive ones like joy, pride, achievement, and gratitude.
Staying Home
Spending quality time with friends who are sharing this lockdown experience; cooking for each other, exercising, making less plans, watching DVDs, saving money and rewarding themselves with time to relax. Staying in really has become the new going out for the people we support.
At New Directions we continue to provide our frontline support for those who need us most during this time of uncertainty.
Staying Safe
Easter is a family time and it was a challenge for us all to be away from our loved ones. Some of the people who live with us at New Directions wanted to send a message to their families this Easter to tell them that they are missing them and looking forward to seeing them again. We all faced a very different Easter weekend to any we’ve ever had before, so at New Directions, like you we were looking for new ways to celebrate together.
Currently our day opportunities service is closed, however we have opened its doors at times to a specific small group of our tenants nearby. This will enable them to get the benefit of the generous space it provides as they meet, support each other and use the cooking facilities at a safe distance.
Supporting The NHS
At this time it is so important to keep our spirits up during the Coronavirus UK lockdown. The latest measures have drastically changed all our lives, however getting outdoors to keep active is something that government is still prioritising. There are many of us walking, cycling, running daily at a safe distance on the streets. Many of the people we support also have access to communal green spaces where they can take a break, enjoy keeping fit and continue to stay at home.
It is the little acts of kindness and appreciation that really boost our staff morale and help them to keep up their amazing work as we fight coronavirus together. The weeks of lockdown are testing all of us but we will get through it and are looking toward the end in sight.
Saving Lives
At this time the people we support are taking every day as it comes and keeping their spirits up together. We have numerous ways which people can safely spend their time such as opening our RemPod bar to bring together tenants at one of our Supported Living homes at 4pm every day. They are using the Government social distancing recommendations to have a drink and enjoy each others’ company inside and outdoors. Our dedicated staff are thinking creatively about how to support people, keep them active, motivated and positive.