3 minute read
LIFE ROOMS IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
The day before Life Rooms in Walton closed its doors for lockdown occupational therapist Amy McMeekin (pictured above) looked around at the people inside with sadness. “I thought ‘what’s going to happen to them?” she said.
Mersey 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.
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.
“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.
The films explore topical issues such as the importance of routine, and how to gain confidence and set your own goals.
Young chef Jacob
Check out chef Jacob’s videos of tasty recipes for families to make together.
Are you your worst critic? Life Rooms film ‘My Cruel Best Friend’ can help you be kind to yourself.
FEELING THE PRESSURE OF HOME SCHOOLING?
Mum Gemma and former teacher Iain, both part of the Life Rooms support team, discuss how school chat groups can make you feel inadequate.
In the film Gemma reveals her own anxieties of parenting during the pandemic“. You question whether you’re doing enough, then you doubt your ability and your anxiety goes up,” she says. Iain shares ideas he uses with his own family, including a mixed weekly activity timetable to give his son some structure.
If you’re struggling with your mental health there are films on combatting low mood to dealing with stress and feeling vulnerable.
Go to YouTube and search Life Rooms or go to liferooms.org
EVERY CALL IS A PERSON
The Life Rooms Pathways Team turned a classroom into a call centre in under two weeks. Pathways advisors, who would normally see people face to face for support on a wide range of health and social issues,now offer a telephone and email service to the public, taking referralsfrom GPs and other health professionals.
Staff have been trained to manage calls from people who might be distressed and since setting up the ‘phone line more than 5,000 calls have been received.
WE’RE THERE TO LISTEN
Deputy service lead, Neil Tunstall said “We set out to see every call as a person, just like we would if they came in. There’s a story behind everyone. Some are lonely, some are in a crisis. It doesn’t matter, we’re there.”
Call the Pathways team on 0151 478 6556
REMEMBER DUSTY BIN?
Find out the story behind one of the biggest shows of the 70s with Life Rooms and Distinct Nostalgia, a unique free podcast collection for TV and film of yesteryear.
As part of a series of shows to celebrate EastEnders’ 35 years, Gary Hailes, one half of EastEnders’ first gay couple talks about how that first on screen gay kiss in soap caused a real furore.
How well do you know your Avengers? Every week the Distinct Nostalgia Mind of the Month quiz puts a TV, film or radio fan to the test about their chosen specialist subject.
Go to: liferooms.org Distinct Nostalgia: distinctnostalgia.com
thepodcastradio.co.uk
