Teamwork makes the dream work as living and learning during lockdown is a success

Adults with special needs have been learning new skills and moving on despite lockdown with virtual choirs, walking groups and online cooking clubs.

Teamwork Trust – which supports autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs – has been able to keep its Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough centres open so that small groups can still access hands-on work tasks and wellbeing activities.

Through its new blended ‘Living & Learning’ programme, service-users have also been choosing from a daily timetable of remote, digital and practical activities or emotional support to keep them engaged, active and entertained at home - free tablets have been provided for those who need them.

Victoria Bell, Teamwork’s head of development, said: "The safety and happiness of members, whether they are at home or in the centres, continues to be the focus.

“The blended service we created during the last lockdown brought about some truly remarkable results and success stories. We have simply built on that and made it even better so that we can support each individual to still keep learning and developing.

“At the moment, our three centres are open five days a week with minimal numbers, while those at home get to choose from a varied timetable of accredited learning sessions and fun games and activities.

"Everyone receives personal phone or zoom calls, and doorstep deliveries of weekly work tasks, tutorials, personalised letters and resource packs too – all individually tailored around hobbies, interests and skillset. No one is ever alone, we make sure of that.”

Clients have been joining in activities including PE, a kitchen disco, a book club, a virtual choir, Zoom quiz nights and weekly coffee mornings.

Michael, who attends the Wellingborough centre, said: “One of the ways Teamwork has helped was to give tablets to those who didn’t have their own. Getting us all online is the best thing they could have done. They taught me how to use my tablet to do simple tasks like checking things online, ordering things I need, and even taking part in classes and courses.

"They had found a way to keep us all together when we are actually apart, and I don’t feel as isolated.”

For more information on Teamwork’s blended ‘Living & Learning’ service click here.