Coronavirus - Gig Buddies and social distancing

We'll be posting any updates and information we can here.

Latest updates for all Gig Buddies on social distancing

We are pleased to announce that we are getting back to some sort of Gig Buddying and supporting people to meet up.
We are doing this in a managed and thought through way and the sorts of activities that we are suggesting are things like:
  • Socials of up to 6 people meeting up in a park with lots of open space
  • a walk so you can chat with your buddy
  • meeting your buddy in a quiet café with tables outside
  • one to one matching meetings between buddies
Before you do anything we will ask you to complete and return our ‘social distancing form’ so we can be sure you’ve thought of everything.
We will be organising socials and will be in touch with everyone about how these will work. (They will be held in parks and outdoor spaces near to people so they don’t have to catch buses).
For those people unable to attend these activities we will still be holding our regular Zoom socials and coffee mornings.
You can download the form here.

Download our social distancing consent form here

Download

How we’re returning to safe Gig Buddying

Socially distanced Gig Buddying – what we’re encouraging

Read our latest article here

We will be regularly reviewing this policy in line with government advice.

Getting in touch

We have a temporary office number during the lockdown.

Please leave a voice message and we will get back to you.

020 3920 8471

Or email us on info@stayuplate.org

Information and resources

As we are all now in lockdown we thought it would be helpful to gather together a few useful resources that we’ve found to help everyone that we work with.

We will also be sharing how we continuing to run Gig Buddies and keep in touch with everyone.

You can download our latest Coronavirus and Covid-19 guidance below

Download our easier to read Gig Buddies lockdown plan

Information about Covid-19 and Coronavirus

National information

Download Mencap’s easier to read guide which explains why this is such a serious health risk and what you can do to help protect yourself.

The latest information on Coronavirus from NHS England

Information in Sussex

Community Works have been collecting together local information including updates from Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex local authorities.

Staying well (mentally and physically)

Headspace This is an App which has mindfulness tips for everyday life

Easier to read advice on looking after your mental health

Health anxiety – this is when you are worried you may get ill. Here’s a helpful blog about this from Think Local Act Personal.

Easier to read advice boundaries and confidentiality while you’re online Boundaries and Confidentiality during Covid 19

Easier to read advice on staying safe online

Easy Read Online Safety COVID 19

Coronavirusfest – keeping the gigs going!

We’ve started our own online music festival. Every evening we have live music coming from the front rooms and bedrooms of musicians with and without learning disabilities from up and down the country (and further afield too!)

It all take place on our new Facebook Page – Coronavirusfest

Other fun things you can do at home

Open Culture have listed 1,150 films that are free to watch

Have a Netflix party. If you subscribe to Netflix you can have a party with your friends and family and all watch the same thing at the same time.

Free audio books. LibriVox have got loads of free audio books online.

Stay At Home Fest is an online music and events calendar.

The Social Distancing Festival – even more choice of things to watch live

There’s also lots of things you can do at home to keep active. Here’s a couple of ideas:

Daily dance classes from Dance Syndrome

Free daily yoga sessions on Youtube.

Further information

If information changes we will aim to update it here as soon as we can.

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus