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.