Coronavirus: activities and resources for life at home
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Now that the government has told everyone to stay indoors as much as possible, there is a greater need than ever for people to stay active and connected from home.
On this page, we will create, curate and share a wealth of ideas to stay active and connected as well as any other useful tips and guidance for colleagues, teams and families.
We’ll share the best resources created by other organisations (that we’ve found) and other organisations are welcome to draw from those that we’ve created. We’re all in this together.
This page is developing, and will be regularly updated.
easy read information and social stories
Download the Prime Minister’s easy read letter about coronavirus.
Download coronavirus easy read information.
“Coronavirus: how to stay safe” easy read poster.
“Why people cannot visit at the moment” easy read information.
“We are not seeing as many people” easy read information.
“The benefits of staying away from others right now” information
Download Dimensions’ “How to stay safe in the supermarket” easy read information.
Download coronavirus social story
Download “Stopping coronavirus” social story
Download “What is coronavirus” social story
Download “Why I have to stay at home” Social Story_
For more easy read information and UK guidance about coronavirus visit: www.keepsafe.org.uk
Download easy read “at risk patient” letter
Chair of the Dimensions Council Jordan Smith speaks direct to those who may be struggling to choose to follow the national lockdown rules:
Going out guidance
Government ‘going out’ guidance was amended on 8 April to reflect the urgent health needs of small numbers of people with learning disabilities and autism. It now says,
You can leave your home for medical need. If you (or a person in your care) have a specific health condition that requires you to leave the home to maintain your health – including if that involves travel beyond your local area – then you can do so. This could, for example, include where individuals with learning disabilities or autism require specific exercise in an open space two or three times each day – ideally in line with a care plan agreed with a medical professional.
The full guidance is available here.
Download easy read going out guidance
Activities, connecting and support
Alternatives to day services – colleague resource.
Download Supported “Decision Making: a guide for supporters”
“Virtual tours – trips from home”
You can also find additional COVID-19 related news and updates for people with learning disabilities by visiting www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/news-blog
Or, if in these difficult times you’re in need of some happiness, humour and fun, check out the Good News Network – an uplifting website designed solely to share good news.
Emergency planning
Emergency planning tips and template.
Easy read clinical guide for staff supporting patients with a learning disability autism or both
Download COVID-19 Hospital Passport
Download information about the COVID-19 Hospital Passport
Download tips on using COVID-19 Hospital Passport
Download “Preparing for loss – How to support people when someone has died”
Online chats and activities
Download “The Gr8 Chat & Brew – what is it?”
Download “Becoming a Gr8 ‘Chat & Brew’ Host”.
Download easy read information about the Gr8 Chat & Brew group.
Download “How to do …The Gr8 Chat & Brew” poster
Download “Top 5 benefits and easy instructions for Amazon Alexa”
Find out how to stay connected using the Houseparty App.
For live streams and events try YouTube. You can also check out what everyone else is looking at right now on YouTube’s trending feed.
If you’re a Facebook member then try out Facebook’s live feed.
If you want to listen to the radio or great podcasts try the BBC. The BBC website and App has loads or choose from, including sport, comedy, news opinion and so on.
Books Beyond Words
Beating the virus without words
Books Beyond Words has produced a new resource to explain the coronavirus pandemic to people who can’t or don’t like reading text but can understand pictures, such as many people we support. As the name suggests, these books have no words but tell a story. This allows the reader to tell their own story – the one they see in the pictures.
In ‘Beating the virus’, we meet Kali when she starts to feel poorly with a cough and a temperature. The wordless story will help people to understand what to do if they have coronavirus (Covid-19) and how to keep themselves and others safe. The story also shows how you can safely help others who may be self-isolating. Supplementary text at the end of the story gives information on where people can seek help if they are unwell and signposts to other useful resources.
The good news is that this resource is being made available free of charge, you can download it by clicking here.
Good Days and Bad Days During Lockdown
A wordless booklet with scenes from existing Beyond Words stories looking at what makes a ‘good day’ and what makes a ‘bad day’.
Scenes address social distancing, lockdown, mental health and daily routines.
You can download it by clicking here.