After so long in lockdown, we all know that everyone reacts differently to being in isolation, but being in such close proximity with others for such a long time, often without a break or time to yourself, can cause stress and difficult moods to rise to the surface.

By maintaining your mental wellbeing whilst staying at home, inflammatory situations can be reduced.

Every Mind Matters has put together ’10 tips to help you if you are worried about Coronavirus’ which can help you if you’re feeling anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely, or frustrated.

They make it clear that “there are some simple things you can do to help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing during times of uncertainty. Doing so will help you think clearly, and make sure you are able to look after yourself and those you care about.”

If you do know of someone who is living in a domestic situation where things are getting out of control, it’s important they know that there is still help available, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Citizens Advice have really useful advice for anyone experiencing domestic violence here, with additional information about how to get help and support during the pandemic.

Remember, you are not alone, we are here for you too. Call us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk.

Proving that in addition to the people we support, we can affect many more lives in a positive way, My Life’s Nikki and her team have given a new twist to their daily walks.

Onlookers have been surprised to see a variety of characters walking down their streets, a dinosaur, Pokemon’s Pikachu and a frog being just a few! The costumes are the very creative idea of My Life Support’s Nikki McDowall, who says:

“We have started a new way to do our daily walks and give people in our community a smile. The children have been excited, the adults have laughed, we have been cheered and clapped! Cars have beeped and there have been people waving everywhere we go!”

Fast becoming a local phenomenon, lots of photos have been taken of Nikki and the team. As they walked past a local school, they were invited into the school yard so that all the key worker’s children could see them, with social distancing, of course. The event was so popular it not only created smiles on the faces of the thirty children, Nikki and the team also made it onto the school Facebook page! 

After emailing us the photos, Nikki said: “We thought we would share our joy and our positive walks and give everyone at My Life something to smile at too!”

Nikki also tells us that there is a change of costumes coming – we look forward to seeing the photos when this happens!    

Exciting news! We have been contacted by Lauren Sturgess, who runs Bamalam Productions. 

They want to collect stories, poems and songs from My Life members describing their experiences of Lockdown, for their Lockdown Poetry Podcast. Would you be interested in taking part?

Lauren has a diagnosis of autism herself and is interested in hearing about how the current situation has impacted on people with additional needs or challenges.

She says:

“My Life, we want to hear your stories, poems and songs about your life in lockdown. We welcome stories both sad and positive and and we’ll include them in our Lockdown Poetry Pod! The podcast will be all about how our local community is dealing with the Coronavirus and we hope to bring some creativity and positivity to all involved!”

If you’re interested in taking part, please email info@my-life.org.uk today.

We might not be able to have street parties, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate VE Day in style this Friday! 

The Stable Door Café’s Paul Plumbley has provided us with his own twist on some classic recipes, to help us all mark this important day, at home.

Paul says: “Just add some little sandwich triangles and some bunting and you have a perfectly posh picnic! Maybe even add a glass of Pimm’s too?”

Classic Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 5oz self-raising flour
• 4oz caster sugar
• 4oz butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1tbsp milk

For the buttercream:

• 12 oz icing sugar
• 4oz butter

Please note that the allergens in this recipe are: Flour, eggs and milk

Method

1. Mix the butter and caster sugar together and whisk until creamed
2. Add the eggs, one at a time
3. Sieve the flour and baking powder into the mixture and stir
4. Portion into muffin papers
5. Cook at 160c for 15 minutes then cool
6. For the buttercream, mix the icing sugar with the butter and whisk until silky smooth
7. When the cakes have cooled, pipe the icing onto them – ta-dah!

Sensational Scones

Ingredients:

• 1kg self-raising flour
• 250g unsalted butter
• 15g baking powder
• 375ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 175g caster sugar
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 175g sultanas (optional)

Please note that the allergens in this recipe are: Flour, eggs and milk

Method:

1. Turn the oven on to 170c
2. Sift the flour into a deep bowl
3. Add a pinch of salt
4. Dice up the cold butter and rub it into the flour and salt. Mix it until it resembles breadcrumbs
5. Mix the milk, one egg, caster sugar and vanilla in a large jug
6. Pour the milk and egg mixture into the flour and bring it together using a knife or your fingers
7. When the mixture comes together and resembles dough, pour onto a lightly floured work surface (do not knead)
8. Gently roll out or pat down the dough until it is around 1.5 inches thick
9. Using a cutter or knife, cut the scones to the size you want (don’t twist the cutter, cut straight down)
10. Place the scones on a lined baking tray, whisk the remaining egg and lightly brush the top of the scones
11. Leave the scones for five minutes and repeat
12. Cook for 20 minutes until nice and golden

Marvellous Mini Filo Quiches

Ingredients:

• 4 filo sheets
• Butter or oil

Filling:

• 250g Lancashire or cheddar cheese
• 200g cooked bacon (optional)
• 2 tomatoes (optional)
• 100ml milk
• 200ml cream
• 5 eggs

Please note, the allergens in this recipe are: Egg, milk and gluten.

Method:

1. Melt the butter
2. Cut the pastry into 6cm square
3. Brush your quiche moulds with the melted butter or oil
4. Layer the pastry into the moulds, one sheet at a time, brushing each sheet with butter or oil. Layer 4 sheets
5. Bake for 4 minutes at 180c
6. Put the sliced tomato, sliced bacon and cheese into the pastry case
7. Mix the cream, eggs and milk together, then pour over
8. Cook for 20 minutes until it sets
9. Allow to cool and eat

You know those things that you want to do, but just never seem to get to? It can seem so hard to find the time!

Well, a while ago, whilst Day Opportunities were on a nice dog walk, the group found a perfectly formed wooden log. As Day Opportunities are notoriously good at finding and transforming things, it was decided that the log was too good a find to leave behind…

As is the way of things, the log remained at My Life for a while, not forgotten, but we admit that it may have felt slightly unloved. This is no shaggy dog story, however.

Whilst off, My Life staff member Karen Platt has spotted her opportunity to create something beautiful from the log and has lovingly carved it into a plaque.

It has been agreed that the only fair place to put the plaque on her return is outside My Life’s Doggy Day Care – proof, we think you’ll agree, that there is a happy end to this tail, for the log and for us!

Here at My Life we’re known for our love of horticulture AND our love of learning, of growing and developing as people. We’ve all grown in some way during this pandemic and we wanted to keep that going, between ourselves and our members at home.

Day Opportunities have sent home instruction cards and sunflower seeds to our members who are currently isolating at home, so that they can start and complete our growing challenge.

Nothing is more gratifying than watching a small seed grow into a beautiful sunflower. Members have already started sending in their photos of their sunflower planting and we can’t wait to see the results!