Emergency respite care
Following months of testing, we have launched emergency respite at The Beehive Centre with all necessary precautions and health and safety measures in place.
Chelsey Mills, The Beehive Centre manager, commented: “Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to reopen our vital day therapy services due to the ongoing pandemic, but the people we support need help and their carers need respite.”
“Offering emergency respite care at The Beehive, and through additional satellite sites, means that carers can take a break from the 24/7 support they need to provide. We are also continuing to offer virtual and outreach support to the adults we support. Some have not left their homes since March and will not be able to for months to come.”
What to expect
We are operating our emergency respite care at a selection of different sites to allow us to cater for as many people as possible while still following the government guidelines. Our day to day activities include physiotherapy, mobility and hand-eye coordination tasks, socialising and games, and time in the community, such as at our allotment or trips to the beach. Many of the adults we support have been shielding throughout the pandemic and this all helps to increase their mental wellbeing as well as their physical health, and provides carers with time to themselves or with the rest of their family.
We also offer virtual and outreach services via video calling, online activities and activities packs that are hand delivered to homes. All our services and flexible and always following the latest COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government.
Steven's experience of lockdown
This story has been provided to us by Steven’s parents.
Steven was unable to understand the rapid closing of all his daily and social activities. Among these was The Beehive, and they all closed within a week at the end of March. This all had a big impact on him, from being occupied Monday to Friday along with family meals and his clubs to no activity at all hit him really hard.
Unable to understand that Francesca and I could not confirm to him when it would come to an end meant he was frequently getting depressed, tearful, and in need of comforting.
Fortunately, with the weather being so good and despite being confined to barracks at least we could enjoy the garden and work with Steven on his Beehive homework! He really looked forward to the regular calls and visits from The Beehive staff.
Keeping Steven active and busy during the long months of lockdown has been challenging to say the least! It has been difficult as he loves going out and about and is only able to amuse himself for short periods.
Now being able to get out and about again and return to The Beehive two days a week has been a major bonus and reduced some of the pressure on us. We all look forward to the return of some of his regular activities and day centres.
Chelsey and the team at The Beehive have been exceptional with their communications during lockdown with regular phone calls and home visits by staff members, which were really appreciated and enjoyed. They kept us informed on plans for respite care and the creation of bubbles to enable limited numbers of people supported to return in a safe environment.
Steven gets on really well with Hannah and Ashley, and his time with them are the highlights of the week!
We all look forward to when this can be expanded and The Beehive reopened for day support. Our sincere thanks for all the support The Beehive has given during these difficult times.