covid-19 blog

week 9- peer support group

This week we are going to let you know all about our Peer Support group. For many years this group has run, every Wednesday evening from 5-7pm. Young people are welcomed into our building to enjoy a delicious home cooked meal as well as fun activities. The activity can be anything from games, guest speakers, workshops, arts and crafts, movie nights and the occasional trip elsewhere. This group is run by Deb and Ros who are our health and wellbeing practitioners. They also receive a helping hand from some of our volunteers. This group is a great way for some of our young people to socialise, build their confidence and try new things. Obviously at the moment the group isn't able to go ahead in the building. As with our other services, this one is still operating but has had to have an extreme makeover in the way it's delivered. Each week the first 40 minutes of the session is done via a zoom video and then continues for the following 1 hour 20 minutes in a Whatsapp messaging group where the young people are able to share their art work and writing with each other. There have still been visitors joining the group, including Tom from The Mill Arts centre who introduced his new project; it’s called Soap and Porridge and is a celebration of our stories and memories. Emma who is BYHP's Transitional Wellbeing Practitioner also joined one of the sessions and gave the group ideas to help their mental health during lockdown. Hopefully the group will one day be able to go back to enjoying a meal together too. 

Motivation is important for us  all whilst we are at home and this week the group were supposed to be having a virtual tour with Emma and Live Love Be around Mill Farm, giving them an opportunity to say hello to some of the herd who they have got to know and to see how they are all doing. Unfortunately this had to be postponed because of the sudden change in weather. The group were very much looking forward to seeing Emma and the farm again so hopefully it can be rearranged very soon. Here are some photo's which were shared on Facebook of the farm.....

THANK YOU THURSDAY.
This week's thank you came directly from our CEO Patrick. Here's what he had to say;

"Huge thanks to the Morrisons Foundation for their £2,500 grant towards the costs of supplying tents, bedding, and a whole range of new clothes for rough sleepers throughout the next 12 months, as well as Morrisons store in Banbury continuing with their weekly support of our Foodbank. Just brilliant support and a clear demonstration that we are all in this together. Thank you"

Here are some pictures of the 3 most recent weeks' donations from Morrisons to our food bank;

This week is volunteers week. We have been mentioning the support we receive from our wonderful volunteers quite a lot recently but just wanted to reiterate how grateful we are for each and every one of you.

​Are you cycling more to enjoy some fresh air during these strange times? Want to get your bike checked over to make sure it's safe to be out and about on? Why not check out the Dr Bike initiative…

We were contacted recently by Autism Parenting Magazine who had seen one of our previous blogs back in 2017. They have been putting together updated and relevant information which you can check out here.


Thank you everyone. Stay safe :)