The senior management team of Thera East Midlands are walking a total of 131 miles over two weeks to raise money for a celebration event to reunite the people we support and reform bonds of friendship and family that have been separated for so long. 131 miles is the distance between the two furthest houses of the people we support, and represents the distance felt by lockdown, isolation, and shielding.

Thera East Midlands support around 320 people with a learning disability to live the life they choose. Some live with housemates, some live on their own. Isolation has been a struggle for everyone throughout COVID-19, but can affect people with a learning disability in a more intense way. Some people with a learning disability also have physical disabilities making them vulnerable to illness and meaning they have been shielding for a very long time. It can also be difficult for some people with a learning disability to understand why they can see their support staff but not their friends and family. Breaking well known and comforting routines of socialising can also be stressful for people with a learning disability.

Since the start of lockdown, we have all been doing everything we can to help our friends and family. From picking up groceries for your shielding neighbour, to daily phone calls checking in with close relatives, we have come together to make life with COVID-19 as comfortable as we can for each other.

People with a learning disability being supported by Thera East Midlands are no exception to needing this support. Michelle has been feeling very isolated during lockdown, she is used to visiting and staying over at her Mums every week and was really missing this. Michelle lost her younger sister a few years ago and she worries about her Mum. The mobile phone at her house is very basic and whilst she can call her Mum its not the same as seeing her. Thera staff suggested to Michelle that maybe she could purchase her own mobile that has a decent camera on it so she could video call her Mum. Michelle was really excited about this and with support from the staff she was able to purchase her own phone. Even though she cant visit yet, this has gone a long way to making Michelle feel closer to her family and she is absolutely over the moon with it.

Sponsor us now to provide people with a learning disability an event they can look forward to and share with their friends and family.