Corona Virus update 24th June 2020

Welcome to our About with Friends website. 24th June 2020

Throughout this Lockdown period About with Friends have continued providing service to many of our members in their homes.
Safety has always come first and we have worked to the frequently changing Government Guidelines.
Members and staff have remained safe and we have worked in different ways to limit the number of members each staff would work with – initially this was one staff member to each member.

During the time we have live streamed on social media every day at 10am, which our members have really enjoyed. The show has included exercise, music, bingo, quizzes, cooking, magic, karaoke and loads more. All members have been sent out a weekly pack including resources that go with the Facebook ie recipes, bingo tickets, NHS and rainbow art work. As well as these members have had wordsearches, spot the difference, drawing, dot to dot, and more.

In addition we have delivered hundreds of meals to members and our elderly lunch club users, as well as Morrisons food bags.

Members are now slowly returning to their Workskills and Respite Service. All in very small groups with their own staff member and in their own sanitised area. We have the advantage of 14 different areas that we can spend time in. Our risk assessment is updated regularly and all members receive an induction on their first return with a video made by our staff explaining what we all need to do. Supervised hand-washing and cleaning of bathrooms after every use – as well as kitchen areas only used by one staff member are working well, with deep cleaning the end of every day.

Most staff are back to full hours, although our shop and café are still closed to the public. Members are taking part in a range of activities, and just so enjoying being back with their friends. Staff have missed the members hugely, its not About with Friends without our members.

Our Services

You can quickly jump to any of our services from here.

About with Friends and you particularly, have done some great work with excellent outcomes for D. I was particularly pleased to hear that you are working on integration with the Youth Group as I felt he would miss out on peer interaction if he didn’t come to college.

Over the last five years I have had a fortnightly, 2 hour designated gardening slot. I highly value your service and ethos.

I haven’t seen D for ages and he looks like a new man . The stress has gone from his face – he looks great Well done !!!!

It was a massive decision for his family to make and by choosing AWF it means they trust totally in the service. I am of the opinion that AWF is the only provision in the county for D and he is very happy to attend.

AWF offers and amazing, caring, supportive group to both special needs adults/children & their families. Since N joined you he has been to some fantastic places, met some amazing friends and done activities we would never have thought he’d do. You have helped our family life improve by making N a happier, more content, confident boy.

To all the staff at About with Friday, I had a wonderful time with you guys, and I want to say a big thank you for looking after me. Love from K.

Many thanks again for J’s lovely break in Derbyshire with About with Friends. He really enjoyed himself, had loads of fun and told us all about the cable cars, stepping stones, cinema, meals out, etc.! We would be very grateful if you could pass on our sincere thanks to all the staff who organised the holiday and supported our youngsters to enable them to have such a wonderful time. We are also very grateful as we, ourselves, were able to enjoy a short break in Paris, which was wonderful and recharged our batteries!

After 30 years of trying to get P engaged in activities, he is now, under your care, beginning to grow like a great Oak tree.

Thank you for taking K to Milton Keynes on holiday, it made her extremely happy. Selfishly, it gave my wife a much sought after period of respite after 16 years of constant care.

Just wanted to say a big thank you to you and everyone else that supported H on the recent trip – she had an amazing time. I enjoyed look at the Twitter feed to see what you had been up to.