It’s Easter time! To celebrate, our very own Stable Door Café Head Chef, Paul Plumbley, has whisked up this scrumptious and easy to make recipe for delicious Easter Brownies.

They’re a little taste of The Stable Door Café in your own home!

Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 246g Unsalted butter
• 246g Dark chocolate
• 113g Plain flour
• 53g Cocoa powder
• 3 Eggs
• 333g Caster sugar
• 5 Cream eggs (try not to eat them before you make this!)
• 1 Pack mini eggs

Please note that the allergens in this recipe are flour, eggs and milk.

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160c.

2. Place the dark chocolate and butter in a heat proof bowl.

3. Place the bowl on top of a pan of boiling water and melt together (take care with this bit).

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture turns to a creamy texture.

5. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the egg and sugar mixture and fold in using a spatula.

6. Slowly add the melted chocolate and butter, mixing with your spatula as you do so.

7. Line your baking tray with greaseproof paper and pour the mixture in.

8. Bake for 15 minutes, then lift out.

9. Cut the cream eggs in half, smash half the mini eggs up, leave some whole.

10. Push the cream eggs into the brownie with the white facing up, push some mini eggs in and scatter the smashed ones over the top.

11. Put back in the oven for 5 minutes.

12. Lift out and let cool.

13. Top with chicks if you have them.

14. Eat!

This is a confusing time for many of us. Understandably, we’ve had lots of people calling us to ask questions about My Life, such as ‘are you still open?’ And ‘can I travel to you safely?’

We thought it might help if we gave answers to the main questions we’ve been asked. So here they are!

Is My Life still open?

As a charity My Life provides support to the community in several different ways. 

We are following Government guidance to ensure that we can continue to be available to all our members at this difficult time.  Each one has been appointed a key worker from My Life, who will provide them with up to date information and advice on a weekly basis.

We cannot stress enough – it is essential, if you or anyone in your home has any concerns about, or symptoms of Covid – 19, that you follow government guidelines.

Here’s an overview of what’s happening in our different areas:

My Life Support

My Life Support is continuing in its current form. Thanks to the commitment of our staff, we are working with all our families to keep support within peoples’ homes, regardless of the current situation.

My Life Learning

Our My Life Learning students are learning at home using resources that we have provided. The My Life Learning Team are also giving them virtual learning support, so learning has not stopped!

My Life Day Opportunities at Standish and Leigh

Our Day Opportunities continue to be open for all those members who are unable to be supported at home during the day, for example:

• If their family members are key workers or are not in good health themselves (not from Covid-19)
• If it is deemed by a medical/social care professional to be in the best interest of the individual member and/or their family

We are still there for all our other Day Opportunities members and key workers will continue to support them remotely by telephone and or email, with tailor made support as and when they need it.

Chalet facilities

Our three accessible chalets are available for essential use to our members. We’re also working alongside the Local Authorities to see how the chalets might be of use to others too.

Advocacy service

We are continuing to support people through our Advocacy service, although face to face meetings are not be possible. For this reason, we’re supporting people virtually, through telephone, email and letters.

Our animals

Our animals continue to be cared for with love and are very happy roaming their fields and snuggling in their enclosures!

The Stable Door Café

The Stable Door Café is closed to the public following government guidance, however we are offering a hamper delivery service to the local area at reasonable prices! Full of fresh local produce and scrummy fruit and vegetables, call 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk for more information.

Is travelling to My Life considered essential travel?

If you have received notification from your medical or social care professional that attending My Life is in the best interest of the member concerned and/or their family then this could be argued to be essential. 

HOWEVER it is the responsibility of the person driving to My Life to ensure that all measures are in place to prevent contact with any other people en route. They must also make sure that their car is roadworthy and has enough fuel to get them to My Life and home again.

What is My Life doing to ensure people are safe on site?

We are following all NHS guidance on handwashing and sanitizing contact points (door handles, telephones, desks etc.)

We have also implemented social distancing measures, which means that everyone must be at least two metres apart and there must be no more than two people in one space (unless a member is supported by two staff).

How long will My Life be open?

My Life remains open following guidance by the government and will remain open unless they instruct us otherwise.

Does My Life have any hand sanitizer to sell?

Sorry, the answer to this is no. Unfortunately, we are unable to sell any of our sanitizing products due to supply demand.

Where can we buy masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Due to demand, there is currently a national supply shortage in PPE. You should contact your health professional for advice if you are concerned that your staff need any PPE.

Is My Life continuing to take referrals?

Yes, we are continuing to take referrals.  We are more than happy to have a conversation with you and begin the referral process, however, start dates maybe delayed until we have more clarity from the government on timescales.

We hope all the above has helped, but if you have any other questions, please do call us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk.

Being out of your usual routine and not being able to do your usual activities can be hard. It’s really important to keep well by looking after your body and your mind.

Public Health England have some really good tips on how to do this – we thought we’d share them with you.

From looking after yourself, to helping other people when you can too, read all about it here. 

If you are finding self-isolation or social distancing hard, call us on 01257 472 900 or email info@my-life.org.uk. We are here for you.

Helplines and support groups for if you’re finding things difficult at the moment 

There are also a number of helplines and support groups who can help, both over the phone and online. You can find them here. Remember, you are never alone.

Our members are known for their creativity and we thought you might like to try some of our ideas at home!

How about making some beautiful flowers, or colouring in the My Life animals – you might even be able to get some of them to speak!

Make your own flower field

Make and enjoy your own flowers at home! At a later date, when we’re all back together, you’ll be able to bring them into My Life and add them to our ‘Flower Field.’ Download the PDF of how to do this here. 

Colour in My Life’s animals

Our very own Wendy has drawn these beautiful pictures of the My Life animals for you to colour in – you can even decide what they’re trying to say!

Download the pdf of the animals here. 

Download the pdf of the animals (with speech bubbles) here. 

Self-isolating or social distancing with autism?

First of all, try to keep calm, it might be a bit scary right now but this situation won’t last forever.

If you’re experiencing anxiety about unexpected changes or events, having difficulty processing information, struggling to communicate, or dealing with any other issues, The National Autistic Society have put together some ideas, tips and links to online resources to help.

We thought we’d share them here.

After carrying out a risk assessment with all parents, all My Life Learning students are now at home. That doesn’t mean the learning stops!

As well as contacting our students at least twice a week, we’ve been in touch by video chat and been really impressed with how well our learners are all getting on.

Food is great fuel for learning, so we’ve also delivered all our learners a delicious hamper of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and more.

Every learner has their own pack of learning materials and worksheets, so that they can continue learning from home. Some are also having a go at the wide range of interesting learning websites we’ve recommended.

Fancy doing some learning at home too? Here they are:

Maths and English online learning

• BBC Skillswise – suitable for all levels, both English and Maths: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skillswise
• Topmarks – English and Maths games for all levels: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/11-14-years/number
• Corbett Maths – suitable for level 1 and 2, Maths videos are included for information, followed by worksheets: https://corbettmaths.com/
• Snappy Maths – online games and worksheets for entry level students: http://www.snappymaths.com/
• Maths Frame – entry level online Maths games: https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/318/Tommys-Trek-Times-Tables
• Sight Words – suitable for an entry level learner: https://sightwords.com/
• Woodward English, for level 1 and 2: https://www.woodwardenglish.com/
• Fun English Games, for entry 1: http://www.funenglishgames.com/games.html
• English – Online, for entry 3 to level 1 and 2: https://www.english-online.org.uk/ 
• English Activities, for entry 1, 2 and 3: https://www.englishactivities.net/englishgames