COVID-19 has adversely affected the people we support- adults with learning and other support needs such as autism were the most severely affected groups, being included in the high vulnerability groups, with many having co-morbidities which meant higher risk of serious illness and experiencing the highest levels of social isolation due to the need for safeguarding against COVID. For those living in residential care, all outside activities and visitors into the home were stopped and for those living with carers, there was no respite. This funding will enable us to add two new music activities to our programme of activities for adults with additional support needs. The activities will include music making and drumming, which are great ways to enhance mood, promote physical and mental wellbeing and reduce stress. It will pay for a music tutor to plan and run the sessions and support staff to enable participation and safety and allow us to pay hall hire to the community centre to enable us to have a large, accessible venue for the sessions. We will also use the money to purchase drums and percussion instruments. We will be working in partnership with the community centre and with carers and staff from other organisations to promote the activities and ensure they are safe and accessible.
