How our tenants are keeping busy during lockdown

Tue, 30 - June - 2020

Hasn't it been difficult not being able to get out and about as normal?

The tenants in our Housing Services are in the same situation as everyone else.  They've not been able to go and do what they ordinarily do and like everyone else, our staff and tenants have had to get creative! Here's how. 

Phillip - Kilkeel

"Ben Crom /The Forge in Kilkeel have been busy outdoors! We've been having great fun with outdoor bingo when the weather is good, and we're going to hold a (socially distanced) Sports Day when the weather picks up.

So far, we've got the following games ready for the big day:

• Egg and spoon set
• Rings toss
• Bean bag and hoop

So, here's to hoping the sunshine comes back and we can get organised!"

Ian - Inverary House

"We've adopted an Activities Schedule for the residents to get involved with some things during the current climate as this helps clients to get out of their room and involved in some activities.

The major hit has been our socially distant coffee mornings in the lounge / dining area. Staff also set up a tea/coffee station so that clients are able to come down from their room and have a cuppa with another client/staff member. This has helped to address some of the social isolation issues with a lot of residents.

Our tea coffee station, with the essential Haribo and biscuits 

When the weather is good the activities and coffee breaks are outside using the lovely grounds and picnic table  We're currently looking for a gardening volunteer to help us make it even lovelier!"

Naomi - Abbeyside

"Abbeyside tenants have been playing games, holding art sessions and producing pieces of art work for the windows to support the NHS and key workers.  They've also been going for walks, doing exercise in the quiet room, doing exercises in their bedroom, having cinema sessions in the lounge and playing pool.

Here's Donna, with some of the pieces of art supporting key workers and the NHS in Abbeyside

Anne-Marie - Fortwilliam

"A great activity schedule has been created by staff and tenants in Fortwilliam and this has included walking locally, indoor fitness and relaxation sessions, a Culture Club, a book club, music and chat, Games nights, and Cinema evenings with tenants choosing what to watch from a wide range of eras. The arts and crafts have proven popular especially the card making!  When our housing support workers are on their way home, they post the cards that are addressed to tenants' loved ones, to help them to stay in touch".

Some of the great cards made at Fortwilliam

Tracy-Anne - Henry Gill Court

"As well as playing socially distanced ball games and stretching exercises in the car park, our tenants have also been being active indoors as well, doing word searches, crosswords, and colouring when the weather has been a bit poorer. There has been a lot of socially distant scrabble and board game playing as well.

Everyone is hoping to get back to the allotment soon so they can see which of our fruit and veg have grown! We use these for cooking at the service. This a view of the Keep Safe window at Carrick created by the tenants.

Lisa - Community and Floating Support

"Whilst there has been more telephone support than face to face during the last 14 weeks, the staff have been delivering both shielding packages and Men’s Health Week packages that were kindly supplied by Impact Network NI. These included some household basics and food but also had some colour books and pencils for people to use during lockdown".

Bags ready to be delivered during Men’s Health Week.