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]

Meditation and breathing exercises

I find breathing exercises and mediation helpful when I am having a stressful day. All you do is sit in a quiet room, close your eyes, slowly breathe in 5 seconds, and slowly breathe out for 5 seconds. I normally do this for 10 minutes once or twice a day depending how my day is, but it is completely up to you on how long you want to do it for.

Go for a walk

It’s important to get out the house for some fresh air and it really helps to clear your mind because staying in the house can increase a lot of stress and will affect your mental health. I like to go for a 30-minute walk whilst listening to my favourite music.

Cleaning and cooking

During lockdown, I started baking again which is something that I missed doing it as it was favourite activity to do. I looked up an old school cake recipe which came out good. I also found the time to create cooking recipes so that is another thing you can do.

Self-care

Self-care is important especially during a difficult time like this. It is very important to focus on yourself and do a lot of self-care when you are highly stressed. Self care could include having a bath, pampering yourself, doing some colour therapy with adult colouring books, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water or dancing to your favourite music to uplift your mood.

Creating a schedule/routine

I can completely understand how upsetting and frustrating it is when something you have planned for a while gets cancelled due to the pandemic and you are left with nothing else to do. The best thing for people that are unable to go to work or stuck at home is that you could create your own schedule at home.

This could include weekly meal planning (deciding what you are having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week), exercises (examples: push ups, sit ups, etc.), creating a cleaning schedule (examples: washing and putting away dishes, hoovering, etc). You could even make a list of things you want to do when places start to open again once lockdown is lifted and activities you have missed doing for months.

So those were my top 5 Director tips on how you can cope during the COVID-19 pandemic if you are stuck at home whilst feeling stressed and anxious. Take care and stay safe everyone!

Next week, we will also welcome back to work our Admin worker, Michelle.

So the Aberdeen team is back and raring to go!

#5thbirthday #dnmaberdeen

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

1. 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.
2. Take part in a creative art session with Mind & Draw on their YouTube channel.
3.  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

1.  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.
2.  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.
3.  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