Please see below essential tips and info for all to help get through these uncertain times.
Public Health Information and guidance:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Register on the Government List to receive help through NHS Volunteering scheme: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Support if you are Isolating:
Most councils have now a dedicated page on their website to help people through this Coronavirus crisis and have either organised a meal delivery service, as Kent County Council has done, are giving advice on where to get food, or offering help with shopping You need to check your Council website
Most of the council websites can be found here:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/directory?&query=tags:Covid-19
Cumbria: https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/
For families living in Suffolk, West Suffolk Council have added local market traders delivering food https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19marketdeliveries.cfm there’s even a sweet trader posting sweets.
West Sussex: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19/
ARE YOU CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?
If you are email or message us we want to help you celebrate
Finances
Excellent info from Money Saving Expert: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/
New style ESA starts from day 1 of sick leave
DWP Face to face assessments suspended for 3 months and after there will be a massive backlog: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-update-benefit-reviews-and-reassessments-suspended?fbclid=IwAR3RuDmTuyzfAcFYsBqs07EgDuUajB4sI_v8ac_4clEIsLdvTqRQ2k6oSY8
HMRC Coronavirus Helpline: 0800 0159 559
Essex Families: Essex Welfare Service for financial support queries: 0300 303 9988 livewell.linkwell@nhs.net they are open Mon-Fri 8am-7pm and then 10am-2pm Sat-Sun.
Cambridgeshire families: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/directory?&query=tags:Covid-19
Travel Refund and Insurance Advice: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/
Self Employed Info: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/chancellor-announces-help-for-self-employed/
Turn to us for Grants and Benefits calculators: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new
Maintaining Mental Well-being stuck at home
Blog from MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
NHS Wellbeing Website: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
- A great short video to help with relaxation tips: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/wellbeing/wellbeing/ filmed Pre lockdown but useful stuff !
- Helping others with their mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/helping-someone-else-seek-help/
- Brilliant information here too on looking after ourselves during these unprecedented times: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/covid-19-and-your-mental-health/
Great useful phone lines and info on Huff Post https://buff.ly/2vGIoDk
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on buff.ly/2IOkxWJ.
Before you read our top tips here’s some words from the fabulous Melanie Thomson:<3 Friends <3 BE POSITIVE!
View this isolation as an opportunity, to self-reflect, discover passions and grow as a person…
Write a “Me-Time” schedule!
Finally we can…
exercise regularly, read that book, paint a canvas, start an online business or course, cook new recipes, learn a language, and most of all love and support others. <3
DON’T WASTE IT and feel yourself shine!
Love Mel x
Working from home TIPs:
How to manage remote working – UCL
Working from home tips – METRO
TOP TEN ISOLATION TIPS
- Create a routine/timetable – give yourself a small daily goal this keeps you focused on day to day – clearing out under the sink, 20 minute walk, calls / social media / films /reading
- Check in with family/friends/neighbours and see if there’s anything you can do to support them, no matter how small.
- Write letters or cards to family or friends instead of email. It’s always lovely to get a handwritten note 🙂
- Arrange a phone call or Skype with a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in ages.
- Do those cleaning or DIY jobs around the house you’ve been putting off for months.
- Read some of those books that have been gathering dust on your shelves. Maybe join an online book club.
- Start a vegetable patch
- Find a group exercise/yoga class you can do online.
- Learn some new recipes and cooking techniques (if you can find food, of course!)
- Watch all your favourite films, especially ones you haven’t seen in years. Bring on The Sound of Music on repeat!!
More ideas: https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home
Lockdown Virtual Days out from ITV’s This Morning: https://www.itv.com/thismorning/hot-topics/the-lockdown-days-in-you-dont-want-to-miss
Theatre and Music Online
National Theatre are streaming their plays live 7pm, they are available for a week after click here: https://www.youtube.com/user/ntdiscovertheatre
The Show must Go On You Tube is streaming Musicals every Friday 7pm – they will stay on the channel for 2 days click here: https://www.youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon
Gareth Malone is hosting a virtual choir every evening at 5.30pm: https://www.classicfm.com/artists/gareth-malone/choirmaster-gareth-malone-home-chorus-coronavirus/
Cirque De Soleil 60 Minute show: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueconnect
Virtual tours of some of the world’s best museums https://upgradedpoints.com/best-virtual-museum-tours/
The 10 Best Museums in Singapore [2021 ] (bestinsingapore.co)
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Live Safari from South Africa each morning and afternoon: https://www.youtube.com/user/AndBeyondAfrica
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Some more tips from other amputee families
– Watch the film Stronger and Reach for the SKy on BBC2 iplayer
– Check out meetup.com for any local online chats in subjects you would love to explore
– Netflix recommendations: Self made, Brian Banks, Stranger on Netflix
– Life without limits you tube channel: https://buff.ly/3aDWK6x
– Use odd materials and make a fabulous face covering
– Crafting: https://craftsbyamanda.com/category/craft-tutorials/adult-crafts/
– Missing the soaps – check out Drama Channel which is replaying Eastenders
– We were reminded us of Upstairs and Downstairs – its on BRITBOX which is free for 30 days – Read that book you always wanted
Cbeebies Radio Listening activities for the younger ones.
Nature Detectives
With schools now closed due to the coronavirus crisis, we know many families are looking for ideas to keep children entertained over the coming weeks and months.
To help, we’ve pulled together some simple, nature-based activities you can enjoy together at home or in your garden.
Oxford Owl for Home Lots of free resources for Primary age
Big History Project Aimed at Secondary age. Multi-disciplinary activities.
Geography Games Geography gaming!
Blue Peter Badges How many badges can you earn?
The Artful Parent Good, free art activities.
Red Ted Art Easy arts and crafts for little ones.
The Imagination Tree Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.
Toy Theater Educational online games
DK Find Out Website for children to see, learn, and explore almost everything.
National Geographic Kids Activities and quizzes for younger kids.
Duolingo Learn languages for free. Web or app.
Mystery Science Free science lessons.
The Kids Should See This Smart videos for curious minds of all ages. Very cool educational videos.
Crash Course Crash Course is one of the best ways to educate yourself, your classmates, and your family on YouTube!
From courses like Astronomy to US History and Anatomy & Physiology it’s got you covered with an awesome variety of AP high school curriculum topics. With various witty hosts at your service, you won’t even notice you’re getting smarter.
Crash Course Kids As above for a younger audience
Crest Awards Many families are having to juggle new ways of working while helping children learn throughout the day. CREST activities are a fantastic opportunity for your children to be engaged in fun science-based activities at home with very few resources.
iDEA Awards Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.
Paw Print Badges Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.
Tinkercad All kinds of making.
Prodigy Maths Support your child as they learn math
Khan Academy Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.
BBC Learning Daily lessons are here! School shut? We’re bringing you three new lessons every weekday, with videos, activities and more.
Futurelearn Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
Seneca For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material.
Openlearn Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.
Blockly Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.
Scratch Creative computer programming.
Ted Ed All sorts of engaging educational videos.
Maintaining fitness
Ottobock Videos for Fitness for Amputees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsUBVWhR11o
LimbPower: Stay In Stay Active: LimbPower have created a private Facebook group for all our LimbPower community members and anyone else who wants to join, to support the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of amputees and individuals with limb difference. We are posting online videos, live videos, Q and A sessions and useful and relevant resources and social media challenges to keep our community members active, reduce feelings of isolation and support their physical, social and psychological health. https://www.facebook.com/groups/932945630436779/
LimbPower Juniors: Stay In Stay Active https://www.facebook.com/groups/208312000385132/
Seated Chair exercises for beginners/intermediates/advanced participants – new daily videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClbSk94g27fxUWv7_LHpSPA
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Tips for home educating children
A book for children on Coronavirus: https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus-ABookForChildren.pdf
Free online education resources: Phonics Play, Reading eggs, Twinkl, Times Table Rockstars
Great facebook group at FAMILY LOCKDOWN TIPS featured on the news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-51955043/coronavirus-facebook-group-helps-parents-and-kids-during-isolation
Weekday PE sessions with Joe 9am daily weekdays https://uk.news.yahoo.com/body-coach-joe-wicks-teacher-135449113.html
Kitchen Lockdown Disco every night 6pm on Facebook and Instagram – we can send the playlist if you are not on social media so you can join in – its one song a night and everyone dances to the same song in their kitchen – a chance to shake it all out
Tips for babies and toddlers
Create a home sensory pack: https://youtu.be/7e7QzOVKl-Y
Tumble tots are doing video sessions on their youtube channel or facebook
Have a picnic in the garden whilst facetiming other mums
Facebook Page: Boogie Babes Newmarket
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ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE
- Finance for Everyone, University of Michigan
- Child Nutrition and Cooking, Stanford University
- Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace, University of Maryland
- The Science of Well-Being
- Read here to see more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/homebound-during-coronavirus-free-online-college-courses-you-can-take.html
- Language, writing and History short courses and tasters here https://www.wea.org.uk/liveonlinelearning
- There’s also courses on Shakespeare, climate change and electronics pretty much whatever takes your fancy ! check them out here: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/distance-learning/9-top-universities-offering-free-online-courses
DON’T FORGET TO JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY ONLINE COFFEE MORNING AND OUR FAMILY FUN FRIDAY EVENINGS. ALL DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://steelbone.co.uk/weekly-online-events/
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