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Community Care |Young Adults & Youth | Children's Activities
Some Tips to help you ride the ups and downs of
self-isolating
self-isolating

✓ If it is helpful, for you, build a routine for each day and week—you have probably already done this, but change it if need be
✓ Identify things to occupy you and give you a sense of achievement and/or joy, but also leave space for rest and reflection
✓ Make sure you connect with others regularly to talk through your thoughts and see that you are not alone– phone, email, Whatsapp, video call
✓ Make a point of calling people who are on their own or in isolation
✓ Pray at a regular time each day, but also whenever you feel the need; pray for others, pray your sadness, pray and thank God for the little things
✓ Stop for a moment and look out of the window— what do you see? What are you thankful for? What memories come to mind?
✓ Plan little treats for yourself and those you live with — maybe chocolate?
A glass of wine? Looking through photo albums? Playing your favourite music?
Have a dance?
✓ Start planning for things you really want to do when this is all over,
having something to look forward to gives us hope and expectancy.
✓ Identify things to occupy you and give you a sense of achievement and/or joy, but also leave space for rest and reflection
✓ Make sure you connect with others regularly to talk through your thoughts and see that you are not alone– phone, email, Whatsapp, video call
✓ Make a point of calling people who are on their own or in isolation
✓ Pray at a regular time each day, but also whenever you feel the need; pray for others, pray your sadness, pray and thank God for the little things
✓ Stop for a moment and look out of the window— what do you see? What are you thankful for? What memories come to mind?
✓ Plan little treats for yourself and those you live with — maybe chocolate?
A glass of wine? Looking through photo albums? Playing your favourite music?
Have a dance?
✓ Start planning for things you really want to do when this is all over,
having something to look forward to gives us hope and expectancy.

Alone Together: Guide to social isolation from those who know
Introduced by Benedictine Father Christopher Jamison, these online resources are offered to help people live through the coronavirus pandemic. Their special quality is that they don't come from theories; they all come from those with experience of social distancing or isolation, people who have lived this reality either intentionally like monks and nuns or against their will like hostages or the housebound. Fr Christopher says: "This is a new and difficult journey for most people but experienced guides give us hope along the way. As the pandemic unfolds, more resources will be added."
To visit Alone Together, see: www.alonetogether.org.uk/
Introduced by Benedictine Father Christopher Jamison, these online resources are offered to help people live through the coronavirus pandemic. Their special quality is that they don't come from theories; they all come from those with experience of social distancing or isolation, people who have lived this reality either intentionally like monks and nuns or against their will like hostages or the housebound. Fr Christopher says: "This is a new and difficult journey for most people but experienced guides give us hope along the way. As the pandemic unfolds, more resources will be added."
To visit Alone Together, see: www.alonetogether.org.uk/

Loneliness during coronavirus
One of the feelings millions of us are experiencing during the current coronavirus pandemic is loneliness. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause... Read more
One of the feelings millions of us are experiencing during the current coronavirus pandemic is loneliness. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause... Read more
![]() Strategy for an Ageing Society
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its forthcoming Strategy for an Ageing Society. The consultation sets out the Welsh Government’s vision of an age-friendly Wales and identifies four key national aims to work towards achieving this. The Strategy includes commitments advocated by the Commissioner, including a commitment to set out an action plan to tackle abuse, work to develop age-friendly communities throughout Wales, and the focus on older people’s rights and tackling ageism and age discrimination. It is even more important, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, that this strategy delivers for older people and the Commissioner will be working over the coming weeks to provide a response to this consultation and to ensure that the Strategy is a cross-departmental priority in the Welsh Government. You can read the consultation and find out how to respond here |
Winter Stories - Older people sharing their experiences
This is a particularly unusual and difficult winter for us all and the Commissioner wants to make sure that older people’s voices and experiences are heard and can be used to deliver change and improvements. To do this, the Commissioner is asking older people to come forward and share their personal stories about what their lives are like through the winter - about the plans and action they are putting in place to help them get through the months ahead, what's good or is making a positive difference, and about the things that may be making life more difficult. If you're interested and would like to find out more about how you can get involved, email A.A.Murray@swansea.ac.uk or call 07507 238596 Forget Me Not Chorus
They meet weekly on Zoom to sing together in a relaxed, safe & fun environment. Each session brings people living with dementia, their friends & families together to enjoy a shared activity, meet new people and experience the joy of singing together. For the zoom link please phone Sarah on 02922 362064 or email hello@forgetmenotchorus.com |

Restoring the link between people and woodlands
During this period of physical distancing, Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales) is continuing to help people across Wales improve their wellbeing by connecting to nature.
One of the ways we’re doing this is through online video sessions, currently held on Zoom. Zoom is free to download and can be used on a computer, tablet or phone. Each session has a different theme, from Foraging to Mindfulness!
The online sessions are free and aimed at people with health and wellbeing needs in Wales.
How to get involved: Read More
During this period of physical distancing, Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales) is continuing to help people across Wales improve their wellbeing by connecting to nature.
One of the ways we’re doing this is through online video sessions, currently held on Zoom. Zoom is free to download and can be used on a computer, tablet or phone. Each session has a different theme, from Foraging to Mindfulness!
The online sessions are free and aimed at people with health and wellbeing needs in Wales.
How to get involved: Read More

How walking in nature can help wellbeing
Going on a walk can revive us. Whether we explore quiet forests, look out over a rugged headland towards the sea or stroll around our favourite park, spending time in nature can give us a sense of peace.
Going on a walk can revive us. Whether we explore quiet forests, look out over a rugged headland towards the sea or stroll around our favourite park, spending time in nature can give us a sense of peace.
Walking keeps our bodies and minds healthy, giving us a breather from the stresses of daily life and the space to gather our thoughts. Exploring open countryside also brings us closer to nature, giving us time to notice how the raindrops cling to a spider's web or listen to the wind in the trees... Read more
Find a walk near you
Find a walk near you
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Step-by-step guide:
How to video call your family and friends By Chris Fox Technology reporter If you are self-isolating at home, video-chatting can help you stay in touch with your friends and family. This guide will show you how to make a video call using a smartphone, or receive one using your desktop computer - or help you explain how to do so to others. How to video call with an Android phone If your phone is made by OnePlus, Google, Honor, Huawei, LG, Samsung or Sony, it is an Android phone. Several other companies make Android phones too. There are plenty of free apps you can use to make video calls including Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp and Zoom. This guide will show you how to make a video call using WhatsApp. Click on the image to connect to the site. How to video call with an iPhone, iPad or Mac
If you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, you can video call a friend using FaceTime. The app comes pre-installed on all of these devices. However, it only works on Apple devices, so your friend or relative must be using an iPhone, iPad or Mac too. If your friend or relative does not use an iPhone, iPad or Mac, you can still video call them using a different app. You can follow the instructions provided for WhatsApp at the top of this page. |
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Remember, you should only click on the link if you have spoken to your friend or relative and are expecting it.
If you are not expecting an invite, ask your friend or relative to double-check. |
Pope prays for artists and the grace of creativity
Source: Vatican News
During Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning, Pope Francis paid tribute to artists who through their capacity for beauty and creativity can help in this difficult time marked by the pandemic. He said: "Let us pray today for artists, for those who have this great capacity for creativity, and for showing us the way to beauty.... May the Lord give us all the grace of creativity at this time." Read more
Source: Vatican News
During Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning, Pope Francis paid tribute to artists who through their capacity for beauty and creativity can help in this difficult time marked by the pandemic. He said: "Let us pray today for artists, for those who have this great capacity for creativity, and for showing us the way to beauty.... May the Lord give us all the grace of creativity at this time." Read more
Pianist JP Ekins Classical Concerts from Quarantine - for NHS
Pianist John Paul Ekins has set up 'Classical Concerts from Quarantine' to bring high quality live classical music to those stuck at home and starved of such stimulation during the Covid 19 lockdown. This takes the form of weekly 3pm Sunday solo piano recitals broadcast live from his music room on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. He takes requests and so the 45 minute programme each week is normally made up of pieces that members of his audience have asked for. Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, Brahms, Liszt are just a few of the composers whose music he has performed so far. The back catalogue of the concerts is all on his YouTube channel, via the links below: YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/jpekins1 Facebook - www.facebook.com/jp.ekins.5 Instagram - @jpekinspianist |
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See the National Gallery's latest exhibitions and talks from home
The National Gallery is bringing its pictures to our homes in a major new digital programme. Inspired by the legacy of the Myra Hess concerts, which took place at the Gallery during the Second World War, the programme - produced entirely from home - across its social media, website and emails celebrates the creative possibilities of staying in and the ways that art can help mental wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown. Read more
The National Gallery is bringing its pictures to our homes in a major new digital programme. Inspired by the legacy of the Myra Hess concerts, which took place at the Gallery during the Second World War, the programme - produced entirely from home - across its social media, website and emails celebrates the creative possibilities of staying in and the ways that art can help mental wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown. Read more
How are you passing the time inside?
Spend a moment with Associate Curator Francesca Whitlum-Cooper as she kicks off regular curated look videos with her choice of paintings of interiors... Read more |
Sunflowers Live is a prime example content still available on YouTube, with links to the content produced at the other institutions.
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The National Gallery
produces a wealth of digital content; behind the scenes videos, serialised content, Facebook and You Tube Lives. Plus, there is a large back catalogue on their YouTube channel of lectures, talks and events.
There are also live-streams of talks and lectures on YouTube and lots of videos that further the reach of the Gallery. These either focus on the works you can see on the walls, such as the recent round-up of paintings by female artists currently on display, or take online visitors behind the scenes such as our relining Charles I video which has had more than 285,000 views on YouTube.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/anthony-van-dyck-equestrian-portrait-of-charles-i
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/support-us/getty-project-relining-van-dycks-equestrian-portrait-of-charles-1
The Gallery works collaboratively with partners.
produces a wealth of digital content; behind the scenes videos, serialised content, Facebook and You Tube Lives. Plus, there is a large back catalogue on their YouTube channel of lectures, talks and events.
There are also live-streams of talks and lectures on YouTube and lots of videos that further the reach of the Gallery. These either focus on the works you can see on the walls, such as the recent round-up of paintings by female artists currently on display, or take online visitors behind the scenes such as our relining Charles I video which has had more than 285,000 views on YouTube.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/anthony-van-dyck-equestrian-portrait-of-charles-i
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/support-us/getty-project-relining-van-dycks-equestrian-portrait-of-charles-1
The Gallery works collaboratively with partners.

WE'RE BACK!
MOTHERS OF INVENTION
Series 3
LISTEN TO THE BRAND NEW EPISODE HERE
Mothers Of Invention is a podcast on feminist climate change solutions from (mostly) women around the world. With ten years to go before we see irreversible changes to our planet, former Irish president Mary Robinson, comedian and writer Maeve Higgins, and series producer Thimali Kodikara dig into the biggest climate issues of our time with love, laughter and memorable storytelling.
Mothers Of Invention gives focus to the stories of black, brown and indigenous women and girls who have been innovating from the front lines of climate change for generations — all over the world! Through their knowledge – in the fields, in the courtroom, at the marches, and in the boardroom – every episode is an education on how to cope, get empowered, and force climate justice for all!
This season, while all of us are in lockdown and institutional racism starts fraying at the seams, Mothers of Invention looks more closely at the power of self-care, and how to use our visions of a regenerative future to build back better. As a feminist community, how are we using compassion to win our climate goals efficiently and inclusively? What are the historical lessons we need to learn before we start digging into change? How are our changemakers around the world using nature for wisdom and guidance?