dates-n-mates have had to adapt and find new ways of bringing our members together to socialise, minimize isolation and form meaningful friendships. With our in-person events on hold due to Covid-19 safety guidelines, our activities have gone online!
We are hosting 2 evening virtual events and 3 afternoon chats per week for our members. We are now launching a new online-only membership for other adults with learning disabilities who may not be able to access our local branches but would like to benefit from our online activities.
This new membership will be £3 per month and will gain you access to one of our closed Facebook groups and all virtual/online events.
Our usual full branch membership also still remains and are open to new members. With our full membership (at £5 per month) you will have access to our closed Facebook groups, all virtual events and activities, in-person activities/events and dating in your local area once these resume, friendship matching services and phone calls.
If you would like more information on our services and membership options, please get in touch with us on [email protected]
]]>We honestly couldn’t do what we do here at dates-n-mates without the help and support of our wonderful volunteers. They give up their time to help us support love and friendship for adults with learning disabilities. Thank you to you all – from admin volunteers to event supporters, fundraisers and more!
Also, our member volunteers are a very important part of dates-n-mates, from selling raffle tickets at big events, promoting the project or helping as Friendly Faces to help new members feel welcome. Our member volunteers are fantastic!
A massive thank you to everyone who helps out at dates-n-mates – we absolutely couldn’t do this without you!
]]>In the newsletter you can find:
- Upcoming virtual events
- Learning Disability week photos from members
- Director Vlog
- Mental Health Awareness week information
Click Here to view our latest e-newsletter (via Mailchimp)
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]]>How are you feeling during this time of staying at home?
The main thing I am feeling just now, is boredom!
How have you been keeping yourself entertained and are you staying involved with dates-n-mates?
Yes, I have taken part in some of the dates-n-mates zoom chats.
I have also been talking with a lot of my other friends and giving my mum a helping hand with the shopping and taking the dog out for walks on odd occasions.
Do you have any advice you would like to share with others during this time?
Just try and focus on the positive side of things and look forward to having fun for when we all get out of the of lockdown
Thanks so much to Richard for sharing his thoughts…
Keep an eye out for more member stories and interviews soon!
]]>Contents include:
- Keep safe, keep smiling, keep in touch!
- d-n-m Facebook Groups
- What’s on at dates-n-mates
- dates-n-mates recommends
- National Director’s Vlog
- Look after your mental health
- NHS Inform COVID-19 links
Click here to view our April / May 2020 edition now (via Mailchimp)
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]]>We have made it through our 5th week staying at home (well done to us all!) so you might be beginning to run out of activites to keep yourself busy.
We have gathered a few of our favourite activity ideas for you…
Online Activities
The internet has SO many ways to keep entertained while staying at home!
1. There are lots of live cameras in zoos and farms which you can view online to see some of the animals. We particularly recommend the Live Edinburgh Zoo Cam. Watch the Penguins and Pandas here: https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam/
2. YouTube for LOTS of free exercise, yoga or dance videos you can try out at home
3. Join the dates-n-mates Aberdeen Facebook Group for fun chats, access to virtual events and activites. We hold a different themed quiz every Friday at 7pm!
Relaxing & Creativity
- Meditate – sit on the sofa with no background noise or some quiet calming music… close your eyes, take deep slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus only on your breathing to find some inner calm.
- Take part in a creative art session with Mind & Draw on their YouTube channel.
- Go for a walk in your local area (make sure to keep your distance from other people while out and wash your hands when you return). You can take photos of the scenery while you are out or just enjoy the fresh air and the sounds of the birds.
Social
- Give a friend or family member a phone call to ask how they are and chat about your day – you can make this a weekly thing at the same time each week.
- Set up a video call on Zoom with friends, family or join in the dates-n-mates chats – you can talk to each other, play games together or do a quiz. You can get in touch with the dates-n-mates team if you need help accessing zoom video calls. You can also do video calls through Facebook messenger.
- Write a letter or draw a picture for a loved one and post it to them.
Stay home and stay safe…
Wishing you all health and happiness from dates-n-mates
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However, it will take a lot more than the Coronavirus to keep the dates-n-mates team down, so we are putting together a programme of “virtual” events to keep everyone connected, entertained and their spirits up!
All branch Facebook pages and groups are filled daily with fun activities, positive thoughts, chatty posts and more! We will also hold regular national virtual events on Zoom (a video call website) hosted by one of 4 staff members who are taking the lead on this (Louise, Janie, Stacey and John Paul). Information for joining the virtual events are shared in the dates-n-mates Facebook groups! These events are for all members from any branch and others in the learning disability community.
We understand many of our members do not use the internet, so we are also regularly making phone calls to some of them to stay in touch too. Our members are always our first priority and we are ensuring we adapt to this situation to still provide members with what we can!
If you would like more information on our virtual events please contact Louise on [email protected] or call 01224 974730 (calls will be diverted to staff mobile while working from home).
Dates-n-mates Aberdeen Facebook Group click here
Stay home, stay safe… but stay connected!
]]>How long has it been since you were diagnosed with Autism?
Its been 20 years since I got diagnosed with Autism.
Please explain in your own words what Autism means to you and how it has affected you in life?
Autism to me means being unique in your own way.
When I was younger, I would never talk but as I got older, I have learnt to speak up whenever I had a problem or needed help.
I struggle with sensory overload and that is always an everyday challenge for me.
Please tell us about an achievement you are proud of in your working life
I am really proud of working with people who have went through similar situations as me… I have been able to help and encourage them to try new things and that’s when I see them happy and become more sociable.
Please tell us about an achievement you are proud of in your personal life
I am proud about the fact that I have moved out and began to be more independent. I like to have my own routine and get things done.
The current Coronavirus situation is stressful for everyone, but it could be even more difficult for someone with Autism.
Please tell us how you are feeling in this situation and how you are coping with any anxiety?
At this moment, I feel safe because I don’t leave the house much anyway, I like to stay at home and relax. But I am feeling anxious and upset because I can’t see anyone, and I can only speak to people on the phone. I don’t want to leave the house to go food shopping due to high anxiety. I have been struggling to sleep as well.
The only way for me to cope just now is working from home, colour therapy, playing games, cleaning and watching videos.
Thank you Sarah, for taking the time to honestly share your experiences. If you would like to know more about Sarah’s personal story, please have a look at her previous posts here.
She will also be sharing a series of videos with her anti-stress ideas in our dates-n-mates Facebook Group (for members) during this period of lockdown in the UK.
We encourage you all today to celebrate your uniqueness and your achievements, to support others with Autism or a learning disability… or people in general. Although we are social distancing just now to keep safe, we still need to stick together and support each other online!
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Our Volunteer, Elena, interviewed both members about their experiences with dates-n-mates and how the project has affected their life. We will be sharing their views (and other member stories) over the next few months.
Activities & skills with dates-n-mates
One member event that Liz and Chris highlighted was a visit to the Peterhead Prison Museum for one of the Aberdeenshire events. dates-n-mates Aberdeen go to a location in Aberdeenshire at least once every 2nd month. Both thought this visit was an interesting experience and really enjoyed it. Liz remembers everyone helping each other during the trip, for example, by ensuring that everyone got the bus together from Aberdeen bus station.
Liz is a very independent member and she thinks that many people are a lot more capable than they think they are. This is one reason that she thinks that confidence building training is so important. Both Liz and Chris attended the confidence building workshop organised by dates-n-mates recently and led by Director Sarah. The most helpful lesson Liz learned from the workshop was;
“we learned we were not alone and everyone has problems, we just have to learn to manage and overcome them”.
Chris also found the confidence building workshop useful. He says his confidence has ballooned since attending!
Chris also expressed that he has used this confidence in his new jobs as a janitor and in a shop. He says that because of the workshop he does not feel stressed at work, even though he is handling money. He is also getting more and more responsibility, which he is excited for.
Chris also highlighted that the anti-stress sensory workshop ran by dates-n-mates has helped him too. Nowadays, if he feels he is getting nervous, he counts backwards to calm himself down.
Both members say they are always very pleased about how well the events are organised. For example the recent Fireworks night on Guy Fawkes. The evening started with the group having dinner. Liz explains that event coordinator, Nicola, solved a situation at the restaurant very well. The waiters were reluctant to split the bill for the members, but Nicola was persistent and ensured everything worked out.
The next event Liz and Chris are looking forward to is the Christmas party, mostly because there will be good food, Liz laughs. Events with food are often popular!
Dating through dates-n-mates
Along with social events, the project also offer dating support. Liz is one member who has had a chaperoned date through dates-n-mates Aberdeen. When she knew she wanted to go on a date she spoke to Laurie (dates-n-mates staff member currently on maternity leave). They went to eat at Frankie’s and Benny’s on their date and they were given a bit of space. Dates-n-mates helped and supported both members throughout the process, which Liz is thankful for. She remembers her date, Cameron, being respectful and lovely. She enjoys seeing him at dates-n-mates events but due to some personal issues they have not had another private date yet. She looks forward to this in the future though.
Volunteering with the project
Another aspect Liz loves about dates-n-mates is that if you suggest something they will often follow through. For example, the recent cocktail event where the members were able to do their own cocktails was suggested by the members. The event was very successful, and some of the members even dared to use the flambé machine for some of the drinks! Both Liz and Chris find that being involved in the decision-making feels very good and rewarding.
They both are actively involved with the project in a variety of ways from helping at the events to recruiting their friends as members. Chris has recently helped 2 of his friends complete the application form and has another neighbour he thinks would enjoy the events.
Liz hopes that as many people as possible continue to join dates-n-mates. She is very grateful for the amazing people she has met, who she would not have met otherwise.
dates-n-mates Aberdeen are very thankful for the support of both Liz and Chris and have enjoyed seeing their confidence grow over the years.
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