MyLife News

Life – but perhaps not as we know it. The government are preparing us to slowly exit from lockdown, but what will that mean in practice?

There is no doubt that nationally and internationally over the last few months the world has changed significantly, and we all need to understand that life will not go back to how things were for a long time yet or if ever. We know some people are eagerly seeking a sense of normality whilst others are still very frightened. We understand totally how you are all feeling, with all the conversations we have had and equally many of our team are feeling the same. However, we cannot sit and do nothing – we need to respond and recover from this together.

At My Life we are developing a Recovery Plan that enables us to consider a wide variety of options that will enable people to return back to our sites whilst keeping our members, students and employees as safe as possible. We are looking to extend our opening times so to limit people on site at any one time, this could mean evenings and weekends. We have already installed significant hygiene measures and will be limiting how many individuals congregate in our indoor spaces. Equally, there will be additional measures put in place within the buildings we use such as Leigh Sports Village and Smithy Court.

What would really help us during this planning time is to understand what you are thinking. Our team of staff will be giving you a call over the next week or so, to touch base with you, to see if you would like your loved one to return and how you would like this to work. Once we have all the information from you, we will be able to develop a workable plan that hopefully will help all of you build your path back to recovery. Please don’t feel you have to return, if you need more time this is fine, or if you are desperate for help we can respond to this too. We are here to help you in any way we can and even if you don’t know what might help, having a chat may just make a difference.

Sending you our good wishes and continued support.

Best wishes,

Caroline

Our English teacher James has taken over contact with learners and we’ve had many great reports coming in of what the learners have been up to whilst at home. 

All the learners have been working through their home learning packs which have been sent out and we’ve had some great pictures coming in from the sunflower project, we’ll ask for measurements soon. 

Some learners have taken this time to develop their culinary skills, horticulture in the garden and life skills like washing and tidying whilst at home and it has been great to see progress being sent in.  Of course, this is a tricky time at the moment and equally as important have been the activities which help to maintain good mental health and well-being.  Ways in which learners are doing this include watching films with their families, making art, playing video games and going for walks.  Liam joined his mother, My Life staff member Sharon, volunteering for us and delivering hampers to the local community.

Our weekly Zoom meetings have continued and we’re currently looking at setting up a closed group on Facebook as an interim measure in order to maintain contact and post further projects to learners, watch this space!

If you are a parent  of a learner currently enrolled at My Life and are interested in becoming our parent governor for the My Life Learning Governance Board, please check your email for further details or get in touch via info@my-life.org.uk.

We’ve had some lovely feedback from people receiving our hanging baskets and bedding plants.

Paul from The Stable Door Café has been out and about delivering them, with help from My Life’s Sharon and her son Liam, one of our members who is volunteering towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award. All were social distancing of course!

One customer wanted to let us know that her mum was overjoyed with her hanging basket and wanted to pass on her thanks to the “lovely lady from My Life” who dropped it off, alongside a book for her to read. She said it was lovely to see such a warm and welcoming person delivering the basket and so thoughtful to be asked how she was doing. She said to pass on her thanks and to say that we are all doing an amazing job in these difficult times.

Another customer emailed to say:

“I would just like to thank you all for the service. I had a phone call this morning to say that my two hanging baskets and plants would be delivered this afternoon. I did ask if I could order another one, but my delivery had already left, so I just ordered an extra one for next week. To my surprise a young lady dropped it off for me this evening. Made my day and they look lovely and am sure when they are in full bloom they will look amazing. If you could kindly pass on my thanks to all those concerned, made my day in these difficult times. I will definitely be making a visit when we are allowed to. Thank you all once again.”

If you would like to buy a hanging basket, bedding plants or compost, you can still order these and pay over the phone by calling 01257 472900 Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5pm.

We’ve had lots of great feedback about our Amarillo video, which featured My Life members and staff recreating Peter Kay’s classic favourite.

One of our My Life friends said she woke up feeling really down, but felt amazing after watching the video. Here‘s a couple more comments:

“Just watched your ‘Way to Amarillo,’ how fabulous. I am so happy we are part of the My Life family.”

“I’m just emailing to say we absolutely loved watching your Peter Kay’s version of ‘Amarillo.’ Cheered us up on a miserable day!”

We even made it into the press, with Wigan Today writing a feature on us! To read it, click here.

Feeling like you’ve been a bit too inactive?

My Life Support’s Pam has passed us these great exercises, to help get us moving a bit more, whatever our level of fitness.

Pam says:

“We are all concerned about our spreading midriffs and getting stiff sitting in our chairs whilst in lockdown.  Here are just a few exercise ideas from the NHS which we can all put into practice no matter what our activity levels normally are.  Have a look and see what is suitable for you and your family.”

You can find the exercises here.

Life can bring its ups and downs at the best of times, never mind when faced with a worldwide pandemic.

If you’re a keyworker or going to work during the pandemic, it’s important to look after yourself.

We’ve found this really good, easy to use resource from MIND to help you do this.   

It really does pay to look after your health and wellbeing. Why not take a look, here?