Alsager Community Support

This page provides you with useful tips, links and resources for things you can do to keep yourself occupied while in isolation.
If you have to self-isolate, you will need to create a new daily routine. It might help to plan things you could do and obtain the supplies now, so you are ready.
It’s important to keep body and mind active, take some time to get creative and try to stay relaxed. Make the effort to connect with people and avoid getting too lonely.

• Church Lawton Woods Circular
• Hall Farm via Fanny’s Croft
• Merelake Way
• Salt Line and Borrow Pit Meadows

Active mind

Keeping yourself busy is important, keep your mind active and occupied during isolation.

Try listening to books; Audible is an app that includes a huge range of audio books, you can install on your devices and they’re currently offering loads of free books.

Listen to plays or find new programmes on the radio BBC Sounds offers a great catalogue of interesting and informative programmes.

Why not learn a new language? Duolingo is a free app and website.

Stay Connected

Keep in touch with friends and family via telephone, video calls, social media, email or post.

There’s now lots of ways to stay in touch with people, as well as phone calls why not install an app on your smart phone or devise that allows you to do video calls? Most smart devices will come with a camera installed and if you don’t have one on your PC they are relatively inexpensive to purchase. Apps with video call as an option include:

• FaceTime is automatically installed on Apple Devices and you can call people who also have the app for free.
• Instagram is an app where users post pictures but you can also message and video call the people you are connected to, lots of younger people use this app so can it be a great way to get connected with grandchildren.
• Skype can be installed onto your smart devices of computer and offers video calling, messaging and voice calls.
• WhatsApp can be installed on your smart phone, you can create chat groups and do video calls

 Get Creative

Get creative – e.g. paint, sew, play an instrument or knit, there’s some great YouTube tutorials.

There are many ideas on the Chatter Pack website with lists of free boredom busting resources.

Stay Relaxed

The covid-19 outbreak is unsettling for us all and has left many of us concerned about ourselves and family members. 

Many people may feel more stressed and anxious than usual. If you struggle with anxiety, or have a loved one that does, it will likely be helpful to take positive steps to help you to manage it. These may include:

• Relaxation Tips from Mind
• Manage your access to information, access only information that you know to be reliable and trustworthy, for example, gov.uk, BBC news and the NHS
• You might find these audio guides from the NHS helpful
• If you have a smartphone or tablet, install an app such as Headspace or Chill Panda and make time to use it every day.
• There are many mindfulness meditations to try on YouTube, including from Calm

If you’re feeling lonely

Some people may feel especially lonely if they have to self-isolate. These ideas may be helpful:

• Ask family members and friends to arrange a regular time to call you, so you know when it is happening and have something to look forward to. Make a list of things you’d like to talk about.
• Call our helpline on 01270 876605 and we can put you in touch with a local volunteer for friendly chats over the phone.
• If you are an older person you can call The Silver Line, a charity that offers information, friendship and advice to older people https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/ or age UK.
• There are many national mental health helplines you can call. The NHS and Mind have lots more useful information on their website. Young Minds is also helpful for young people.

If you are in immediate distress, please call the Samaritans on 116 123.