Online meeting platforms like Zoom have become indispensable in lockdown. From Monday morning meetings to Friday night drinks, they have offered us some sense of normality. With covid putting a dampener on real-life get-togethers, Zoom (and similar) have helped people to keep their social lives going – something that is more important than ever.
The pandemic has threatened many people’s much-needed support networks, luckily many adaptable and determined projects have swapped the real world for the virtual one and continued to support their users, let’s have a look!
Dementia Support East Sussex – Music & Movement Sessions
Dementia Support East Sussex offer interactive singing, movement and craft sessions for those living with dementia and their carers. In normal times, they do at least 25 sessions a month in venues across East Sussex. Dementia can be exceptionally isolating and these sessions provide a great sense of integration and normality to people affected by dementia. Unwilling to be beaten by the current situation, DSES have continued their Music and Movement sessions over Zoom.
Brighton Adult ADHD Support Group – Online support groups
ADHD Aware is a volunteer-run organisation that supports adults living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Brighton, Hove and beyond. They offer four sessions of peer-to-peer support each month.
Since the pandemic hit the UK last year, the organisation have moved their meetings online, providing much-needed support at a very difficult time.
4Sight Vision Support
4Sight Vision Support aim to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with sight loss in West Sussex. Along with providing some great socialising opportunities and practical support, this charity also aims to raise awareness of sight loss.
With lockdown threatening their social calendar, 4Sight Vision Support moved their activities into the virtual world. From regular reading groups and quizzes to a 1920’s themed bingo-evening – this organisation is helping to alleviate lockdown loneliness for their users.
Brighton’s Choir With No Name
Brighton’s choir with no name proves that even in these dark days, you can always find something to sing about. The group is run in partnership with Brighton Housing Trust, who do great work helping those affected by homlessness in the Brighton area.
While Covid has called time on any live gigs, they are still running weekly zoom rehearsals for anyone who wants to join in.
Men Walk Talk
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 and Men Walk Talk provide a much-needed safe space for men to open up and talk about their mental health. The project encourages more men to get outdoors, open up, reduce social isolation and provide men with the opportunity to forge new friendships with other men in their communities. Some socially distanced strolls are still possible, but Men Walk Talk now also host a weekly social meeting over zoom.
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