Here at New Directions, just like every other Health and Social Care provider in the UK, we put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of those we support and our staff in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. As the pandemic progresses we will implement each section of our response plan as appropriate – keeping life as normal as possible for the people we support.
- Due to our dedicated staff and their infection control training and procedures, our services were better prepared for this crisis than most of the country.
- Resources to help frontline health and social care professionals to manage anxiety levels have been shared and are available here
OUR COVID-SECURE VISITOR POD
New Directions enables the people we support to spend quality time with their loved ones in the safe environment of its new Covid-secure and purpose-built visitor pod. Officially opened by the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Bill Lewis on Friday 18th December, the pod helps reunite people with complex needs and their families, improves the lives of those whose mental health has already been detrimentally affected by limited visits, and benefits people who need to see someone’s mouth to clearly understand them speaking without masks. Used by anyone in our services the pod will also have a lasting benefit as it can be used in all weathers.
LOCKDOWN THREE
Tuesday 19th January 2021
We have new blossoming relationships which have developed through lockdown at New Directions. There are also those which have been reinforced by this testing time too. With Valentine’s Day approaching next month it will will be a somewhat different celebration for all of us. Facing adversity together has meant that many couples have needed to rely on each other for emotional support. Our roles in our relationships have changed over the last year and we are often spending more time in each other’s company at home and in our social bubbles. At New Directions we will make every effort to celebrate Valentine’s Day as naturally as possible and make the ones we care about feel appreciated more than ever.
SECOND LOCKDOWN
Tuesday 15th December 2020
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! The people we support are have been decorating their Christmas trees over the past few weeks. Nobody is certain exactly when Fir trees were first used as Christmas trees. It has been estimated to be about 1000 years ago in Northern Europe. Christmas Trees were often hung upside down from the ceiling using chains, which seems to have been popular more recently too.
Wednesday 25th November 2020
Susie’s visits to her Dad have really helped her to keep their very special bond over the past 9 months. The places they have communicated have changed over time, so now they can get together in a different safe way in this special screen protected visitors room. It’s obvious that they both enjoy spending time together and Susie has adapted to the new normal quickly.
Thursday 19th November 2020
The spirit with which everyone we support has been empowered to live their lives with support and care, whilst often being isolated from their routines and the ones they love, has been truly inspirational.
FOCUS ON NATURE
Monday 21st September 2020
It is not easy growing runner beans in your own garden. Despite the challenges, Bob has been picking some of the new crop from the sensory garden at his supported living accommodation. These runner beans will certainly make a great addition to the communal Sunday roasts and have given everyone a real sense of achievement. Well done everyone!
DAYS OUT
Monday 24th August 2020
At the National Sea Life Birmingham some of the people we support got a real insight into life under the sea. From curious sea creatures, to some that have been rescued or perhaps very rare, everyone was able to get up close and enjoy the experience with their friends.
Tuesday 11th August 2020
There may be considerable restrictions inside the cafe but popping into town for her chocolate cake experience is a real treat for Rose and appears to put a big smile on her face.
FACE COVERINGS
Wednesday 29th July 2020
Fiona and Maureen are following the Government guidelines by wearing a face covering in supermarkets and shops, which became compulsory from 24 July. There is certainly a ‘new-normal’ and the people we support are adapting well.
RESTRICTIONS LIFTING
Friday 17th July
As the lockdown restrictions begin to lift we are getting used to a brand new normal. People we support like Tina have finally had their long awaited haircut, Jennifer has been venturing out and about feeding the ducks, Angela visited Bradford Park and Billy has popped to his local pub for a quick beverage. The activities we want to do are the same, but the way they are done has very much changed.
Wednesday 1st July
Susie has chosen to wear a face covering when she goes shopping locally. The current advice from the UK Government is that a cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose. It is important to be able to breathe easily and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth wile wearing it. Also remember to wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser before putting the mask on and after taking it off.
STAY ALERT
Wednesday 3rd June
Hanging out together at home, or at our local service CCN has really put a smile on Billy’s face. CCN which we partially reopened to help people like Billy living nearby find a group space to share with their household. It has meant that Leanne, Tina, Judith and Graeme have also been spending valuable time together while staying safe.
Tuesday 26th May
All garden centres are now able to open to the public with social distancing measures in place. This will have great benefits to people like Susie, especially for the physical and mental wellbeing, which gardening can bring. Susie is planning more visits to Dobbies in the future too.
Wednesday 6th May 2020
Every day is an opportunity for Harry to make a meal for himself in the evening. Harry measures out the correct amounts of each ingredient so he is able to control his portion size. Harry enjoys cooking and is getting ready for his Level 1 Diploma in Professional Cookery Catering and Hospitality at Rugby College. Sometimes he likes to add a little bit of extra creativity to his day with somehting like a millionaires shortbread too.
STAY HOME
Wednesday 22nd April 2020
Susie knows that her Dad is only a phone call away! It is important at this time when we cannot visit each other to keep connecting with our families and friends by any means available. You’ll never know how much that phone or video call, text or social media message will mean to both you and the people you care about. It might be just what they need. So take some time out of your day and get in touch.
COMMUNICATION
Thursday 16th April 2020
The people we support are certainly keeping busy during this UK lockdown. They have some great new daily routines, are keeping active, finding new ways to spend their time and keep their minds occupied, as well as getting creative, making video calls, getting as much fresh air as possible and connecting with others who they are in lockdown with. Everyone has adapted really well and staff are there to support people who are feeling anxious.
STAY HOME
Thursday 17th December 2020
There are times in the year that we want to get together and celebrate, and Christmas is one of them. It is going to be different this year for all of us, however that doesn’t mean that we cannot have fun. We may be limited by the number of people we can share our Christmas roast with; it may seem daunting to go into a new year of uncertainty; and there are times when we will be thinking about the year that we are leaving behind. At New Directions we will be spending quality time together in our bubbles and looking forward to the gift that Christmas brings of peace and hope for the future.
MAKE SPACE
Wednesday 25th November 2020
Christmas celebrations this year are more than likely going to take place in our own homes. Combined with the fact that many of the UK population have fast forwarded the festive season to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to their lives; it is therefore no surprise that the people we support are decorating their homes earlier than usual. Merry early Christmas everyone!
Thursday 19th November 2020
When the weather is mild it’s a great opportunity to get active outdoors for Sophie. Riding her bike keeps her fitter and more focused. There are some great benefits to cycling for Sophie, such as increasing her muscle strength and flexibility, improving her joint mobility. decreasing her stress levels as well as improving her posture and coordination. All together a very balanced exercise.
COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Monday 28th September 2020
SHARING MEMORIES
Monday 7th September 2020
Katharine and Rose are full of fun when they get together. As soon as the music plays the two good friends certainly know how to enjoy themselves. It is wonderful to watch these two ladies getting together and entertaining their friends at home.
GYMS OPEN
Monday 10th August 2020
Is teamwork the magic ingredient to getting fit for Harry and Billy? Research has shown that exercising together like this means that they are more likely to train longer and work out more often than when they are going solo. There is also someone to cheer them on!
STAY CAUTIOUS
Monday 20th July
Things have changed in the way we enjoy eating out. Encouraging contactless payments, keeping to social distancing guidelines, washing our hands and using sanitiser as we enter a venue, limiting the contact between customers and front of house staff, reducing the need for self service cutlery and condiments, as well as opening up outdoor spaces makes it safer for us as visitors and customers to eat out at this time. We recommend that the people we support eat safe at home and at their favourite places. The smiles say it all
IN THIS TOGETHER
Thursday 9th July
Katharine is enjoying the company of friends in several ways as restrictions lift. The people she is in lockdown with such as Marilyn have been keeping her laughing, Tina has popped by at a safe two metres with air-hugs and Kyle is also keen to see her too as always.
Tuesday 9th June
Everyday tasks… we all have to do them, whether it’s hoovering, cooking, cleaning or simply washing up. We all have more time indoors now so it is a perfect opportunity for a spring clean too. The people we support are definitely getting to grips with their daily routines.
Monday 25th May
This is what Bank Holiday Monday looked like at one of our supported living accommodations celebrating African Culture day. There was plenty of food, drink and music with an African twist and the people we support and staff enjoyed taking part. There will be another opportunity to get involved next time for those who were unable to attend.
Monday 11th May 2020
The VE Day bank holiday weekend was a great opportunity to have a get together and celebrate for everyone at New Directions. There was a party spirit at all our services and a lot of laughs. Our stay home celebrations were a chance to spend time quality together, have fun and for some to enjoy the sunny weather in their communal outdoor spaces.
STAY SAFE
Tuesday 28th April 2020
Spending time with friends and family on her birthday is important to Leanne. She is sharing her lockdown experience with several of her close friends who live in her shared supported living accommodations. She has been singing and dancing a lot lately, enjoying the Friday Breakfast Club and Sunday roasts, creating face masks over the last few days and has now got together with friends for a low-key party which has certainly continued to lift her spirits on he special day.
Thursday 16th April 2020
The people we support are very enthusiastic about taking part in the Thursday 8 pm clapping for all the NHS staff and key workers in the UK. It has become quite a regular event for them!
STAYING SAFE
To read more about the earlier months of our Lockdown 2020 and how we navigated these challenging times in order to create the least disruption to the people we support and our staff.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Thursday 2nd April 2020
More from some of our New Directions kitchens! Homecooking helps the people we support to control portion sizes, get value for money and save costs. Many of our tenants are also batch cooking now as they live independently which is a tasty timesaver.
Wednesday 25th March 2020
At New Directions we live our lives alongside those we support and are treating their immunity and ours as one. We keep each other safe by restricting our movements to our own homes and the homes of those we support. Brian is doing his part by continuing to tackle the cleaning tasks around his home and carrying on with his every day routines.
Sunday 22nd March 2020
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.
Sunday 22nd March 2020
We are keeping the people we support aware of Government updates relevant to how we all socialise with our elderly relatives in this situation due to Covid-19. Susie demonstrated how she is keeping her Dad safe when she visited him. This video is a testament to how New Directions is addressing this current situation and showing the people we support how to carry on with their lives with a few adaptions. We will of course facilitate contact between the people we support and their families and friends as much and as creatively as we can, whether by telephone, Skype, Facetime etc.
Wednesday 19th March 2020
Linda enjoys her time at home and we will ensure that she has a continued connection to her family and friends.
SELF ISOLATING
Wednesday 8th April 2020
Vital support provided by charities across the country during this Coronavirus pandemic has been recognised both practically and financially by the Government. Local charities like ours providing compassion, care and community to the most vulnerable in our country have not been forgotten says the Chancellor of The Exchequer’s in his address to the nation.
28th March 2020
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.
25th March 2020
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.
Wednesday 25th March 2020
Communal areas in all our accommodation services are extremely important to the mental wellbeing of staff and those we support alike, and continue to be used by everyone who is symptom free. This community rainbow project is a perfect example of how people can join in with creative projects which build their sense of community.
Wednesday 19th March 2020
Many thanks to our local ASDA supermarket for their donations which will be much appreciated by the people who we support.
Latest Online Updates
You can take great reassurance, from the professionalism and dedication of our staff team that no matter what, the highest standards of care will always be provided. If you have any concerns at all about Coronavirus and our services, please contact us on: 01788 573318 or email admin@newdirectionsrugby.org.uk