on 01/04/2020
Times of isolation can feel difficult, but we want you to know that the LIFEbeat community is with you all the way. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be moving online to offer activities and check-ins to help you to stay connected.
And there are also a range of other great opportunities and organisations out there to help support you during this time. We’ve put together this quick list to help you find the things you need.
LIFEbeat
LIFEbeat is setting up a range of online offerings for young people. For info on our latest events and offerings, please get in touch.
Need to speak to someone urgently?
Childline
If you’re in need of support or advice, Childline is an excellent, free resource that is available to all young people. If you need to speak to someone about problems you are facing in your life, you can call them any time on 0800 1111. You can also speak to someone 1 to 1 via their live online counsellor chat at childline.org.uk. As well as live support services, they also offer a brilliant online art box so that you can get creative and express yourself through digital art.
How to get in touch: Call 0800 1111 or go online to childline.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer free telephone and email support to anyone who needs someone to listen. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
How to get in touch: Call 116 123
The Mix Helpline
A leading support service set up for young people under 25. They are equipped to offer support and practical advice on everything from homelessness to money management and break-ups.
How to get in touch: Call 0800 808 4994 or text THEMIX to 85258
More information on their website
Emergency Shelters and Support
Nightstop
Nightstop offers a lifeline to young people who are in crisis by providing temporary housing. There are 33 branches across the UK, so you can find your local branch and get in touch.
Specific Concerns About Coronavirus
BBC Video
This is a great video if you are concerned about coronavirus and want to understand more about the virus and the impact it is having.
YoungMinds: Looking After Your Mental Health Whilst Self Isolating
YoungMinds have put together some great advice about how to look after your mental health whilst you self-isolate at home. It includes everything from tips on video calls to finding a positive online community. We hope that LIFEbeat can offer you this!
Health Advice on Coronavirus
Trustworthy advice from the team behind The Mix with advice on what to do if you think you have the virus and how to avoid contracting it.
BCAP: How to Cope with Anxiety During Coronavirus
Advice from qualified counselors on coping with feelings of anxiety during the pandemic.
Mind.org – Coronavirus and Your Wellbeing
Advice on how to stay well at home and how to look after yourself whilst you are isolating or staying home.
Financial Advice on Coronavirus
The Money Saving Expert offers advice on looking after your finances and knowing your rights during the outbreak.
Somerset County Council Resources
If you need some help and ideas on coping with stress and mental health concerns at this time, Somerset County Council have several ideas about looking after yourself and those around you.
Mental Health Resources
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Anna Freud offers fantastic mental health services for young people and their families. They offer therapy and support for young people aged 12-18 and young people can refer themselves without a supporting letter from a GP.
How to apply: You can contact them directly to speak to a clinical support worker and find out what services are available to you. Email referrals @annafreud.org. You can also visit the website and take a look at the ‘On My Mind’ section to access free resources created by young people for young people, including a Youth Wellbeing Directory with loads of local services and mental health support organisations across the UK.
Somerset Children and Young People Mental Health Toolkit
This comprehensive toolkit includes information and resources to help anyone who is struggling with their mental health or the mental health of a family member. There are specific resources for self-injury and dealing with traumatic experiences as well as life hacks to help you take care of your mental health.
NHS Mind Plan Quiz
As part of their Every Mind Matters program, the NHS are offering a 5 question quiz to help assess your mental state and offer top tips and advice specifically for you and your mental health.
Stop, Breathe, Think
Selfcare resources from the Anna Frued foundation to help you keep on top of your mental health and wellbeing.
Meetwo App
If you are struggling with difficult topics and need to talk to someone about them, download the Meetwo App and find someone who you can talk to, or be a support for someone else who needs to chat.
Fun Activity Ideas
If you’re looking for some fun ideas and activities whilst you’re at home, these websites have some great suggestions.
Scouts
The Scouts have hundreds of activity ideas to entertain young people and their siblings – from making glow in the dark maps of the stars to creating a calendar of the highlights of your year. Visit their website for some ideas.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Mindfulness practice is a way of slowing down and taking time to check in with yourself and your wellbeing. It is a really useful tool if you are experiencing stress or anxiety.
Daily Mindfulness Practice with MiSP
Mindfulness in schools project are offering daily sessions at 11am via Zoom. If you would like to add a daily mindfulness practice to your time at home, this is a great resource.
Headspace App
If you’re interested in starting to meditate but not sure where to begin, this brilliant app makes it really easy and is used by 60 million people around the world.
Education Resources
If you would like to use this time at home to take on some short courses or diplomas, then there are some great online courses. Many of them are free and you can learn anything from ecology and wildlife conservation to physical theatre.
Audible Books for Homeschooling
Audiobook company are offering a range of free books for homeschool students. You need to sign up to the service, but once you’re signed up, you can download the books for free.
Future Learn
There are hundreds of online courses and even bachelor degrees on Future Learn. Whatever your area of interest, you can find short courses here, whether for personal interest or for potential future employment
Learn to Code with Blockly
Blockly will teach you how to code video games and websites via their online tools.
TED ED
TED talks are fantastic and are a great way to entertain yourself whilst at home, and they’ve also made a specific educational part to their website where you can watch educational talks and videos too.
Science Lessons
Mystery Science is offering online science lessons for young people of all ages.
Science Projects with Crest Awards
Take on a science project and get an award via the Crest Awards.
History Lessons
The Big History Project is offering history lessons that you can do from home, helping you to keep up with school work whilst you stay in.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy have been innovating in online learning for several years, and during the COVID-19 outbreak they are offering online schedules for 2-18 year olds as well as a variety of remote learning resources in all of the core subjects.
GCSE & A-Level Content
If you’re revising for GCSEs or A-Levels, you can get specific resources to help you study via Seneca – and it’s all free.
Open University
The Open University offers remote working, flexible hour short courses and degree courses online. There are a variety of subjects to choose from.
iDEA
If you want to learn more about digital media and online resources, iDEA are offering free courses on everything from e-safety to coding.
Fitness
Looking for ways to stay fit whilst you’re at home? Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety and help to keep you feeling well. Here are some great online workouts to look at.
The Body Coach
250 high intensity workouts, most of which you can do from your living room.
Yoga With Adriene
This YouTube channel has been around for a long time and has loads of great yoga classes that are all free.
Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership
Ideas for staying fit and healthy whilst at home, even if you’re stuck indoors.
Jobs You Can Do From Home
If you’re in need of employment, there are some job websites that specifically list jobs that can be done remotely.
At Work At Home
A job site featuring jobs that allow remote working.
Work From Home Opportunities Facebook Group
A Facebook group where people can post jobs for remote workers.
Entertainment
If you’re looking for some ways to entertain yourself whilst at home, here are some great ideas.
Virtual Museum Tours
This is a great list of museum’s who have posted virtual tours, so you can look around from the comfort of your own sofa.
Online Classical Concerts
If you miss live music, take a look at this growing list of classical concerts being streamed online. It’s constantly being updated as new concerts are announced.
Please note that we have checked the validity of these organisations in as much detail as possible, but they are not run by LIFEbeat and therefore we cannot take responsibility for your experience with them.