MyLife News

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.

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