#StayingConnected in lockdown #2
Posted: 7 May 2020
Staying Connected in lockdown
From online cookery sessions to work-out videos, Kent’s voluntary sector is finding ways to reach out to people during lockdown.
Last week we looked at arts and culture, so this week we’re looking elsewhere – from youth and mental health to dementia and the environment.
Here are some of our favourites:
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services are posting out weekly activity packs and have a jam-packed schedule of activities including Boxfit on video, virtual ‘Bring Back the Memories’ singing – and this chair ballet class.
Age UK Tunbridge Wells shared a simple stretching exercise video #KeepMovingMonday that we found very useful!
This week Darren at @TonSchoolCentre shows us how to work on posture & stretching.
Remember to start gently and build up each exercise depending on your ability!
Watch the full video: https://t.co/NKUzup9Vkt pic.twitter.com/HLwFmRm0vT
— Age UK Tunbridge Wells (@AgeUKTunWells) May 4, 2020
Mental health charity Take Off have facebook live cookery classes – including a celebration of 75 years since VE Day with corned beef hash and jam tarts – and online support is provided everyday in May.
Young Lives Foundation launched a new YLF Advocacy Twitter Page promoting the rights and entitlements of children in care and care leavers and sharing useful resources. Check out their newsletter.
Peer advice on #lockdown from #KentYouthVoice has been shared by Kent Youth County Council – see Lah Ella’s picture below.
Canterbury Umbrella are using facebook and instagram live and zoom – and have partnered with Kent Adult Education. May activities include the relaxing and informative art lesson video below.
https://www.facebook.com/CanterburyUmbrellaCentre/videos/163235698440094/
And Mind groups across Kent have moved online with classes and peer group sessions.
Maidstone and Mid-Kent Mind have invited people to bring a hot drink to a virtual quiz followed by a chat and catch up and East Kent Mind social enterprise Cafe Revival are sharing recipes.
Touchbase Care have a members-only online hub where people can work on projects, share ideas and socialise.
And Maidstone Mencap have an online community with music and activities such as word search.
Meanwhile environmental groups such as Communigrow and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership are sharing gardening tips #Growingathome and nature facts – and this rather wonderful #DawnChorusDay video.
Today's #DawnChorusDay was accompanied by a wonderful red sunrise. With birdsong at its peak at the moment it's certainly worth waking up early and opening your window or door to listen #StayHomeSaveLives @DoverDC @KentDownsAONB pic.twitter.com/onG7k6eBWi
— White Cliffs (@WCCPnews) May 3, 2020
We love this tip from Communigrow trustee Alan….
#Growingathome tips: Use #rhubarb to prevent club-root, an infection that affects broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages & other plants from the brassicae family. Alan, trustee and volunteer at Communigrow, shares this #organic tip! #GrowAlong #homegrown #growyourownTip pic.twitter.com/Qm9QCVpBNX
— Communigrow.org.uk (@communigroworg) April 17, 2020
Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom have scaled back their competitions, which still include front gardens, balconies, baskets and planters and a raft of virtual challenges – such as a weekly bloom photo competition on social media and a “Being 10” writing competition.
And finally…
We couldn’t go without a mention for arts groups missed out last week who are all rising to the challenge: the digital video workshops as part of an online programme chosen by Sheppey Youth Panel #T31Sheppey with Ideas Test; Pie Factory Music COVID-19 challenges, including the T Shirt competition and Archie’s winning entry! Maidstone Fringe Festival moved online. DoverSmart Project have developed a Wellbeing Guide to isolation … and we wanted to share #MuseumMake and the Big Cat Racers activity from Powell Cotton Museum #MuseumAtHome.
https://www.facebook.com/PowellCottonMuseum/videos/652398988935021/
We know there are lots more examples, so please feel free to share them with us on social media.
This is a flavour of what Kent’s voluntary sector is doing in addition to the frontline services, which include delivering meals and medicines during lockdown – so let us know if that’s you.
And lots of organisations are using #lockdown to focus on fundraising to ensure their survival after COVID-19. Future posts will look at ways people are doing this.