Tuesday 5th May 2020 has been designated #GivingTuesdayNow - a global day of unity and giving in response to Coronavirus. A day where we can recognise, celebrate and give thanks for the incredible outpouring of compassion we have witnessed during this crisis.

This is a day to recognise what so many people have been doing over the past few weeks from the amazing key workers who have kept us all going through to those who have reached out to support neighbours and communities with acts of kindness. It will also be a day to recognise charities who have stepped up and reached out to support people and communities under challenging circumstances.

Charities across the world are in need of your support during these unprecedented times. If you are in a position to make a financial donation to a favourite charity, please do no amounts is too small and by donating what you can you are helping them continue to do their important work. We appreciate that not everyone has extra money at the moment so want to emphasise this is only is you can. If you arent in a position to donate maybe you could go to social media, share a heart on your page and a personal message of thanks to groups, individuals, keyworkers or even a friend or neighbour who has done something you are grateful for!

As you know, here at Parklea we cannot operate as we normally would during this Covid-19 Pandemic and clients that would usually attend regularly are having to isolate at home, either with family or with reduced support from those stretched resources within social care.

We recognised early on the effects on mental wellbeing for those vulnerable adults who cannot go about their usual routine and see friends or colleagues and have been adapting to these changes by reaching out and supporting our Parklea family as best we can.

The team at Parklea are finding creative ways to continue to engage with them from a distance, maintain contact and provide activities to support their mental and physical health. We are continuing to deliver our personalised Comfort Boxes, create weekly newsletters and make regular phone and video calls. We have come up with ideas for challenges to encourage physical fitness and to continue horticultural involvement by sending growing packs to grow seeds at home.

If you would like to make a donation to Parklea Branching Out we have included a link to our JustGiving page. Your support will help us in continuing to reach out and help those within our Parklea community, as well as helping to ensure we are able to be here to welcome everyone back to as soon as it is safe to do so.

We have already received donations from members of our community who have wanted to help and we would like to take this opportunity to thank The Steele family and Nessie McFadden for their kind generosity.

Our customers and supporters of Parklea are genuinely amazing and you all do make such a difference to the service we are able to provide.

Thank You.