LIFE ROOMS IN YOUR LIVING ROOM Life Room’s Amy McMeekin, part of the team keeping communities supported during and beyond lockdown.
The day before Life Rooms in Walton closed its doors for lockdown occupational therapist Amy McMeekin looked around at the people inside with sadness. “I thought ‘what’s going to happen to them?” she said.
M
ersey Care’s four Life Rooms recovery and wellbeing centres have seen more than 100,000 people come through their doors since opening four years ago. The centres closed in March as the country went into lockdown. A week later, with a telephone helpline set up in a meeting room and a film maker on site, deputy service lead Amy and the team had created Life Rooms Online, a virtual version of the courses, programmes and support groups that have been so successful.
46
Fast forward three months, the doors may still be closed, but with a library of films made by Life Rooms staff, service users and partners, and a fully fledged call centre offering one to one support – Life Rooms is coming to you.
Gary Thorpe head of recovery and integration says what began as an instinctive response to the pandemic is now an integral part of what Life Rooms offer.
The films explore topical issues such as the importance of routine, and how to gain confidence and set your own goals.
“At first we described the online service as a temporary measure aimed at plugging a gap but now we’ve developed a service offer we would never want to lose.”
WHAT’S ON? Move over Saturday Kitchen! Life Rooms has its own online version, including junior chef Jacob who guides families through easy dishes like pear crumble and no bake flapjacks. Liverpool University’s creative writing courses and yoga with Movema are among online courses from cultural partners.
Check out chef Jacob’s videos of tasty recipes for families to make together.
