Services available to access during the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak. This will be added to over time – please check back regularly and feel free to suggest additional providers by email to nikki@rg10mag.com.
ABL Photography
Asya Barskaya is a local photographer currently offering free family portrait shoots. Sharing beautiful photographs will help you to stay connected with those you love and bring something positive into their lives during this challenging time. The offer runs from April 2020 to the end of the year and includes one fully retouched high resolution digital image – for more details see here. (To comply with social distancing rules, shoots are conducted outdoors from at least a three metre distance.) Follow Asya’s Facebook page.
Art activities
Local artist Este MacLeod has developed a free 5-day course that is available online to start any time from 26 April to the end of May 2020. Home schooling was a major motivation for putting the course together and it is suitable for all levels of art experience as well as children. Minimum materials are required and the content and format are simple but significant, using the shapes of numbers and handwriting as components for drawing. Get involved at www.explorecolour.com/colour-play.
Another local artist, Sally Castle, has started the Twyford Sketch Club to encourage local residents of any age or experience to fill a sketchbook or diary of the events that are surrounding us now to create a very personal record. Members use a closed Facebook group to share pictures and give and receive feedback.
The BBC
The BBC has announced significant new education programming to support parents with home schooling their children. Starting on 20 April, videos, quizzes, podcasts and articles will appear on BBC Bitesize Daily via the BBC iPlayer, red button, BBC Four and BBC Sounds. The initiative will include 14 weeks of core subject learning to offer ‘rhythm and routine’ for pupils ‘whatever your child’s age’. There will be six 20-minute programmes on air daily on BBC iPlayer and red button covering core subjects such as Maths, English and science, with guidance from experts and teachers.
Churches in Twyford, Hurst, Ruscombe
The four C of E and URC churches in the above villages have a joint Facebook page that is regularly updated. Some groups have transferred to meeting online, such as Bumps & Babies. There are story readings such as Dave the Donkey and even fun challenges for children such as craft activities and Easter egg rolling – complete with a facility to upload photographic/video evidence!
Connective-Learning
Sarah Brazenor is a Learning Coach who works with teenagers to help them overcome obstacles, realise their full potential and achieve their best exam results possible. As well as individual coaching she offers an online training programme in 6 modules designed for GCSE students to find their best way to revise.
She is ideally placed to advise parents and guide young people in new, creative and fun ways to keep their learning and development on track while schools and colleges are closed. As well as a public Facebook page, She runs a Facebook group for parents: the Learning Coach Collective.
HaaHoos At Home
HaaHoos, the Pottery, Painting and Party Centre in Twyford, is sharing videos of fun creative projects to do at home. See the Facebook page or Instagram for the latest workshops.
Library resources
All Wokingham Borough Council Libraries are temporarily closed. However, library members can still access the digital platform to continue enjoying e-books, audio books and e-comics directly on their own devices.
The WBC Libraries blog is posting some useful ideas for families, offering plenty of links to free resources to keep the children busy and entertained. Recent posts include Children’s Authors and Publishers offering online content and Online Educational Children’s Resources to try at home.
Tai Chi for Wellbeing
Tricia Miller is a local Tai Chi instructor who has kindly shared some Tai Chi exercises for kids that families can enjoy doing together at home. See the 29 March post on the RG10mag Facebook page for cartoons and descriptions of the exercises.
Understanding Dementia
Adjusting to life under the COVID-19 outbreak is especially challenging and even more isolating for those living with dementia, their carers and families. Shirley Pearce is an Occupational Therapist with long experience in working with people living with dementia. Several years ago she set up the charity Understanding Dementia to offer advice, information and training to those who care about lessening the impact of dementia. Check out Shirley’s blog for up to date advice for carers in relation to the current coronavirus restrictions. Call Shirley to ask for a copy of her booklet of practical tips to improve wellbeing for loved ones with dementia, or to join her mailing list for information about future presentations and fundraising events.
