How not-for-profit group has supported Wigan residents with learning disabilities through lockdown

The community interest company has had to move fast to adapt its services to the strange new world of staying at home and social distancing.

It has turned to technology to keep things going, with meetings on Zoom and activities distributed online for its service users.

That means that the handful of people who really do need to use its HQ at The Edge are able to do so safely.

The CIC says it is pleased with how the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic have been negotiated by staff and service users alike.

And it praised the support from both Wigan Council and the government which has enabled it to keep going.

Business support manager Karen Dunn said: “We’ve been able to keep interactive activities like our drum circle going online and we’re using Facebook Live and Zoom for the first time.

"We’re using the online meetings to find out what people have been doing during the day and how they are keeping themselves busy.

“We’re also sending out activity packs with things to do like making a scrapbook to keep for the future. We’ve received a lot of support from Wigan Council and before doing anything we checked in with families to see what they would be comfortable with.

“This has been a worrying time for us, like it is for all providers. We were wondering if we would survive lockdown but the government grants and support from the council have made it very positive.

“People are really anxious, especially if they have autism. It’s a massive change to their routine, not being able to go out and see their friends and family members. It’s a really difficult time for them.

"Hopefully using these means we can still connect with them and they can see all their friends. That should make life a little bit easier for them.”

Some of More Than Words CIC’s service users are still receiving support from the organisation at home, and some have been able to go out with the team to areas like parks for regular exercise.