We recognise that for some of our members and their families, the increasing weeks of isolation are proving hard.

Because of the new government guidance around people with autism and learning difficulties, we may now be able to give you more of a helping hand by taking your loved one out for their exercise, to give you a bit of time. 

In our last newsletter we highlighted an important update to the UK coronavirus rules for people with autism and learning difficulties. This stated that people with learning disabilities or autism can now leave the house for exercise more than once a day and can travel outside of their local area under current lockdown measures.

The new advice also states that although those with autism and mental health conditions are advised to limit their travel and stay as close to their local area as possible, carers and support workers who do not live in their household can accompany them.

This means that, as long as you are happy for us to do so, we’re now able to give our families a bit of time by taking members out for their daily exercise. However you want to use that much needed time, it’s up to you, maybe you need to get some food shopping in, get a few jobs done, have a long bath or simply have some valuable space to yourself?

You might even want to get some space on the beautiful green land at our Standish site, which is possible by prior arrangement.

If you would like to discuss how we might be able to help you, please do call us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk   

Hello everyone,

We want to send a virtual hug and wave to remind you all we are still here and are ready when you need us.

We totally understand how difficult life is for everyone at the moment. The weather is due a change and although our land and flowers will like the rain, it may make things a little harder to bear. If you need us to do anything at all, from having a chat, some outreach support, respite in a chalet or dropping off some essential items, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are keeping all of our sites going and Standish in particular is looking fantastic, with the wonderful vegetables, salads and plants growing, as well as some new buildings being put in place.  We will be delivering our hanging baskets and bedding plants over the next few weeks, so keep us in mind for your garden. Our army of volunteers have been sewing PPE gowns for Wigan hospital, which has been an amazing achievement from the whole community.

We are keeping everything going so when you are ready, we will be ready with lots of exciting things to do.

We love all of your messages and photos and want you to keep sending them in – we have some amazing videos being made which we really want you to join in, so contact us if you want to be involved.

We miss you all and can’t wait to see you.

With much love, Caroline x

As well as supporting our members and their families through the Covid-19 pandemic, we are also now doing all we can to help people in the community too.

You can now help us to do this – and brighten up your home at the same time, by buying one of our beautiful hanging baskets, bedding plants or compost.

We can drop these off (within the local area) without contact. 

• Hanging baskets £25 each
• Bedding plants £3.50 per tray
• Compost £7.50 per 75 litre bag

All prices include delivery. Call 01257 472900 – we can take payment by card over the phone.

The funds raised will help the charity so much at this difficult time. Thank you so much for your support!

Staff from My Life Support are continuing to support our members in their homes. We’re very proud of the compassionate way they’ve worked, often around the clock.

Thank you to our member Katie and her family, who we are privileged to help support, for this lovely message to our staff:

“We want to express our gratitude to all staff out there supporting people to remain safe whilst at home. A big mention goes to Katie’s staff who have been working with Katie to keep her healthy, happy and safe during this difficult time.

They have been utilising the Standish site, walking around the track, going to see the animals, using the chalets, helping with the growing and using the general spaces and facilities that are on offer. Katie has responded so well to this and is enjoying her new life of sunshine and horticulture.

We would like to thank each team, who are always so creative and responsive to the person they support. It truly is wonderful to see how much everyone who works for My Life really does care – and for that we are privileged.”

Despite the lockdown, My Life Support are carrying on as normal.  We met a new member this week who is keen to share his experiences and how he helped to deliver some training for us.

Callum is going to be receiving support from My Life soon and we are keen to ensure that his care is specific to his needs.  He therefore kindly volunteered his assistance in training us on the use of his ventilator and telling us all about his health needs. 

Below, you can see Callum wearing his NIV (non-invasive ventilation) mask.  He is keen for people to know that it is not scary and that he wears it every night in his home whilst he sleeps at night.  He has only had it for a few months and knows exactly how to put it on and get it to work.

Callum is really looking forward to meeting everyone on the Standish site and seeing all the animals that we take care of.  Just like everyone else out there he is struggling being in his home all the time.

TV is no longer interesting, he loves using his Xbox but even that has got too much for him, and his computer screen broke this week! But mum, Nicole, has got a new computer on order so I hope that is with you soon Callum!  Callum also loves cars and his favourites are Minis!

It’s been great to meet you Callum and thank you so much for helping me with the training for your equipment!  I will hopefully see you soon after the Easter Bank Holidays.  Take care, Pam.

Pam Hicken, My Life Clinical Lead

We’d like to say a big thank you to Support Standish – a free service helping to support local businesses and local people, by listing the services they’re still providing during the pandemic.

Even better, they’re helping My Life continue our work by suggesting people donate the money they’d usually spend on their daily commute, to us.

Designed by Nettl of Wigan Design Studio in association with Standish Voice Neighbourhood Forum, Support Standish is designed to be ‘a place for the community to get together, find the best way to support local businesses in Standish and the surrounding villages and initiatives and do our bit to strengthen our community.’

You can support the businesses in different ways, either by leaving an online review, ordering online or sharing a referral. Each business has different needs and different ways you can help.

From food and drink delivery through to artwork and legal services, you can find it all here.