Spending time in isolation can be stressful, so it’s really important to look after your body and your mind.

Through our yoga classes, we’ve seen the power of meditation first hand – it’s a great way to release any tensions and reduce any stress and anxiety you may be feeling.

We’ve been lucky enough to receive a guided meditation from My Life’s yoga teacher Tiffany. It only takes around 15 minutes, but you’ll find that you’ll reap the benefits!

Tiffany says: “Before you start the meditation, it’s useful to find a quiet space, feel warm and comfortable, lower the lights, switch off your phone and be guided towards a deeper peace.”

This is a breathing meditation, where deeply focussing on the breath allows the mind to settle, and the body to soften. If you find thoughts keep coming into your head, don’t worry, as Tiffany says: “The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts, it’s to stop them controlling you.”

You can listen to the meditation here.

If you’ve enjoyed Tiffany’s meditation, you can find her on Facebook by searching for TheDenYogaStudio or online at http://www.yoga-by-t.net

Thank you, Tiffany!

A change to our usual routines, the things that we usually do, or the people that we see can make a big difference to how we feel. 

The current pandemic has brought about a lot of change – and this can be difficult to deal with.

NHS North-West has put together two useful guides to help people with learning disabilities or autism cope with all these changes.

From strategies right through to tools and top tips from experts, both are designed to help reduce any stress, anxiety, low moods or other difficult feelings caused by the current situation.

Download ‘Coronavirus: Mental Health and Resilience Skills for Autistic Adults’ here and ‘Looking after your Mental Health’ here.

It’s important to say that the skills written about in both guides are especially for adults with learning disabilities or autism, but may also be useful for anyone.

If you’re finding things hard, remember, we are also here to help too. You can call us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk

People who may be particularly vulnerable or isolated during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including new parents, the homeless, unpaid carers, young people and cancer patients, could soon benefit from a range of innovative digital solutions selected as part of the TechForce19 challenge.

NHSX, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have announced 18 innovative digital solutions being awarded up to £25,000 under the TechForce19 challenge.

The funding for each project will be used to develop new ways to support vulnerable people who need to stay at home or need other help in the community for extended periods of time.

More than 1,600 innovations submitted bids in response to the challenge and successful projects include:

• Feebris for the most vulnerable who are isolating – an app to help carers identify health risks and deterioration within elderly communities
• Neurolove.org to support young people with mental health – a platform providing a friendly ear and human support for young people to help them to keep virtually social and safe online
• Peppy for parents – helping parents-to-be and new parents remotely access trusted, convenient advice from perinatal and mental health issues
• Vinehealth for cancer patients – a mobile app to support cancer patients during treatment and easily track and understand their care, including their symptoms, side effects, appointments and medications
• Beam for the homeless population – a digital platform to support the homeless by taking referrals from local authorities and homeless charities, to ensure goods are funded, delivered and documented

Minister for Care Helen Whately said: “This is a hugely challenging time for everyone but for some it’s especially hard. Some people find themselves particularly isolated by social distancing – so we want to make sure they have the support they need at their fingertips.

Technology has already proven to be a powerful tool in our response to this pandemic, keeping us connected in ways we could not have imagined even a few years ago.

These innovative projects will offer fresh hope and vital support to some of the people who need it most and I’m very excited to see how they progress.”

The successful solutions will now receive funding to rapidly test their product to meet specific Covid-19 related needs.

This testing phase will last for 2 to 3 weeks and be followed by an assessment to better understand the potential and scope for accelerated deployment at scale, based on evidence.

NHSX has been working with partners PUBLIC and the AHSN Network to run the fast-track competition for innovators, creating a pool of technologies that have the potential to be rapidly scaled regionally and nationally.

Each prospective technology must have the capability to operate on a standalone basis without the need to be integrated with existing health or care systems.

Guy Boersma, Digital and AI Lead, The AHSN Network, said: “This list of solutions is testament to the talent being harnessed to address the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. The health and care sector has already seen many solutions being deployed to support vulnerable citizens with mental health needs or other specific conditions, and the pandemic makes it even more necessary that we address the needs of citizens unable to access face-to-face care or even their usual social networks. We are delighted that we have a series of solutions which can be piloted and then scaled to address these pressing needs.”

If you haven’t already seen it, My Life’s recreation of Peter Kay’s classic ‘Amarillo’ video is fast becoming a You Tube hit.

Last week members and staff joined together to recreate Peter Kay’s ‘Amarillo’ video, whilst social distancing, of course.

We can honestly say that watching (and making it) brightened up everyone’s week – we never knew we had so many stars in the making! Thanks so much to everyone who took part – you can see the end result here.

If you fancy appearing in our next music video, email info@my-life.org.uk and we’ll let you know how!

If you receive your support via a direct payment, the government has issued new guidance to help you through the Covid-19 pandemic.

This completely unprecedented situation has thrown up many questions for lots of people who receive their support via direct payments, such as “what do I do if my PA is sick or on annual leave?’” and “what do I do if I or my support develop any symptoms?”

This newly issued government advice seeks to answer it all. You can read it here.

Remember, we are always here to help too. You can contact us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk

Our use of the online world has understandably increased during lockdown, due to home schooling, keeping people entertained and connected with the outside world.

Think U Know are providing easy to use resources to help support children and vulnerable adults with their online safety at home during lockdown.

Every fortnight they’re releasing new home activity packs with simple 15-minute activities adults can do with their children or with vulnerable adults to support their online safety.

Please use these and help to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, by sharing them with your friends and family.