Published: 25/03/2021 - 09:53
Go Anywhere, Do Anything is our project helping people access social and leisure experiences. It’s been needed more than ever to tackle increased loneliness brought about by COVID-19. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, staff have worked hard to continue to deliver high-quality experiences, even though physical trips out haven’t been allowed for most of the past year.
We’ve run nearly 60 social activities since March 2020, mostly online. It’s been easier to link up virtually than in person with similar organisations like Heart n Soul, Gig buddies, Club Soda and Croydon Mencap, who all help people with learning disabilities to have fun. Virtual trips have included discos, afternoon teas and treasure hunts, museum and stadium tours, club nights, watch parties, Taekwondo, DIY comedy and more.
Zoom has actually made the project accessible for our harder to reach members, people who even before COVID-19 faced barriers to leaving the house for various reasons. Fatima’s family have noticed that joining virtual trips has helped her build independence and communication skills. Her research skills have improved and she’s learnt more about exploring emotion; after each session she describes the experience in detail to her family, opening up and being more expressive. It gives her space to have some time for herself and to have fun, ‘I really enjoy it, every trip was brilliant’.
Fatima’s sister says about our sessions, ‘She experiences very positive things, she learns new things, it’s something different for her…something she can enjoy and participate with other members…it’s very good for her’.
Whilst we're looking forward to trips out in person again, we're continuing to enjoy the benefits of digital connections.