As we creep ever closer to the June 21st date, where hopefully all forms indoor socialising will be permitted, we are all craving contact with friends and family. At Carers2u we know that our local Wolverhampton residents would like to see more of their loved ones- so we’ve created a handy guide to help them do just that!
How to keep in contact
Check out our useful tips on how to keep in contact during the pandemic.
Distanced meetings
Under current regulations, you are allowed to meet a loved on outside or inside (in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households). However, if your loved one is particularly vulnerable you might want to stick to outdoors for now. Outdoor meetings are better ventilated, giving the virus less of a chance of taking hold. You can meet in private outdoor spaces, including gardens. So, make the most of the spring sunshine and have a garden coffee, a park picnic or visit a pub garden.
Top tip! If you’re concerned about an elderly relative, choose off-peak times during the week days to visit pub gardens, to ensure minimal contact with other people.
Phone call
Calling your friends and family is one of the best ways to stay in touch. However, with friends and family likely busy working, elderly relatives can sometimes go the day without speaking to anyone during the pandemic. Check out Good Sam and self-refer for a check in a chat. One of the friendly volunteers will give you short-term phone calls to help alleviate feelings of isolation.
Top tip! If you’ve got time on your hands and enjoy talking to people, why not volunteer as a check in and chat phone operator! Choose your volunteer times and enjoy flexible conversations throughout the day!
Video call
Video calling has been an absolute godsend throughout the pandemic. It’s allowed friends and family to stay in touch, universities to convert lectures to online teaching and work meetings to continue at a safe distance. If you’re missing your loved ones’ faces, download free apps like Facebook messenger, Whatsapp or Zoom. All of these will allow you to chat face to face with multiple people at any given time.
Top tip! Check out this handy guide to downloading and using Zoom for face to face chats.
Methods of video calling
If you’re keen to chat face to face, choose from one of these handy FREE apps to speak to loved ones:
Whatsapp – messaging, video calling and voice messaging
Facebook messenger – as above.
Zoom – video calls, messaging, screen sharing.
HouseParty – allows you to chat and play games with friends
Skype– video calling and messaging
Google Hangouts- video calling, messaging, file sharing
Discord – great for gaming
JusTalk- for video calling.
