Customer Story - Reconnecting with friends, post Lockdown through group activity

Felicity has been using the local Community Lives day support services for many years, including Boyn Grove Resource Centre. Both staff and customers have known each other for many years and have developed long standing relationships. At Boyn Grove people regularly enjoyed social lunchtimes and a wide variety of activities prior to the pandemic.

Felicity explained, "I have been coming to the Boyn for 30 years. I have lots of friends, and I miss them."

As lockdown measures started to ease the team at Community Lives looked at ways they could follow the required safety measures, include plenty of fresh air and space to socially distance, and created a schedule of communitybased sports activities.

Shortly after the sessions commenced, Felicity became unwell for a time and hated missing her sessions and friends, as Felicity herself said, "I did not like missing my sessions. I like to be with all my friends."

Charlie, Senior Activities Support Organiser at Boyn Grove, explained how Felicity was so excited to see one of her long-standing friends at the session on the Monday. “They’ve known each other for so long and just enjoy seeing each other”.

Some sessions are aimed at older people and offer seated exercise using stretch bands, stress balls and lively music. The short break in the middle of the session for a cup of tea and a chat, allows everyone a chance to re-connect and enjoy a social space. John, Senior Activities Support Organiser outlined the sessions’ aims; “The focus is on rebuilding strength and co-ordination. We know people have been much less active during lockdown and it’s really important to get back into moving to help people maintain their skills and abilities.”

Community Development Manager Vicky Holt emphasised the accessible nature of the groups and stated, “We all know the importance of trying to be more active… these sessions are helping people to make new friends or see old ones, have fun and enjoy the facilities in their local neighbourhood.”