Tuesday 31 March 2020

Sound Meditation for Monday



Our meditation facilitator Simone has put together an audio track for people to listen to at home to help us all stay on track with our practice - click the link below and enjoy!

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/70eaf8f0484add4d7ca945a007a18dd220200330191727/8bbf011812e617d5a67bfcfb8d3b51f220200330191727/6d151b

Friday 27 March 2020

Something for the weekend



If you fancy catching some live pop music and virtual concerts - great article and listing available on Billboard.com


There are also museums offering free virtual tours - great article from Travel & Leisure with listings: check it out by clicking here



"With venues and bars shut down from coast-to-coast, here's your guide to the best live-streamed music content right now.As the nation adjusts to the new reality of life under self-quarantine in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of artists and musical institutions are taking the show online to share some musical joy during these trying times. With venues and bars on lock down, there are plenty of things you can watch from the safety of your couch, thanks to everyone from the Dropkick Murphys to the New York Metropolitan Opera and the fine folks at Disney.


While sites like Stageit have been offering up live-stream shows for less-known artists for years, the loss of road time has inspired some acts to look for a new, temporary way to bond with fans until a return to normal.


Check out an ever-expanding list of shows and musical events to stream from the comfort of your home. 

READ MORE at www.billboard.com

Also check out...

Artists are playing live concerts from their homes amid the coronavirus outbreak — here's how to watch them (article from insider.com)

Together at home - musicians and bands on youtube - Chris Martin (of Coldplay) has helped launched "Together At Home," an initiative supported by Global Citizen, which is billed as a series of online concerts in order to promote social distancing.

For classical music fans check out some of the online radio stations, youtube and instagram such as Classic FM


Orchestra in self quarantine host virtual concert below

Thursday 26 March 2020

Today's art class with Niamh

Thursday at Gateway...


We love being creative in Gateway so while the project is closed physically, we asked our wonderful art teacher, Niamh to develop some ideas for people to connect with their creative sides at home instead. Each week we will upload a video class from Niamh with different projects to keep us all busy and happily arty while we are having to stay at home. 


This video is half an hour so Niamh suggests you make a cup of tea and watch it in full first, then decide which project you'd like to tackle. There are four different projects to try and all using household materials which we hope most people will have to hand.  

Check out the class guide below for each project for more details to help you stay on track

 

Please let us know what you think and if you have any suggested improvements or ideas for the future! You can email us on info@gatewaymha.com


Remember our phone support line is open from 10am to 4pm Monday-Friday and weekends 2-4pm for calls and texts on 085 7521220 please do keep in touch!  


There is also a members' WhatsApp group you can join and we are providing weekly calls to members to check in and say hello, along with information emails and updates by text.  If any member would like to join any or all of these options, please give us a call, text or email.


Best wishes from us all at Gateway. 


Stay as safe, well and connected as you can.


Fionn 😊


PS. One of our members' reminded me that today is Purple Day, an international day for epilepsy awareness, unfortunately public fundraising events were cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus outbreak, please check out Epilepsy Ireland for their online campaign seeking support.

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Community Outreach Support

Info on Community Supports in many areas of South Dublin



Monday 23 March 2020

Monday 16 March 2020

Gateway Closure

    

Unfortunately Gateway's drop in and usual activities closed from 17th March 2020 as part of a national response to protect people and reduce spread of COVID-19.

Gateway is operating a phone support service instead during these times: 
10.00 to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday 
2.00 to 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday
Members can text or call the Gateway mobile on 085-7521220 during these times.  
Please note that the office landline will not be monitored and to contact the Gateway mobile instead.

Gateway will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.  In the meantime please keep in touch, follow public health advice from trusted sources and stay as connected with others as you, even if only by phone.

It's very important to mind your mental health at a time like this and link in with others for support as best you can. 5 tips to mind your mental health during the coronavirus lockdown

Image result for whatsappGateway members have a whatsapp group - if you'd like to join this please phone us for more information. 


Image result for samaritansThe Samaritans are available 24 hours a day for emotional support on 116 123.  Things like turning off the news, meditating and listening to music can all be helpful.

Minding your mental health tips 



If you have underlying health issues or other concerns that may increase your risk of complications with Coronavirus, it is advisable to minimise social contact and stay at home as best you can.

If you are worried you may have Coronavirus, please ring your GP for advice.




Please keep in touch with us and with other members during this time.





Changes at Gateway in light of COVID-19 measures


Important information for Gateway Members about changes in Gateway starting 16th March until further notice

Following the Government’s announcement last week to close all schools, colleges and crèches as well as pubs as of last night, to help minimise the risk and spread of Coronavirus in Ireland, and with more restrictions on the way given public health advice, Gateway is temporarily changing the way it provides social support in the community over the next few weeks to help protect everyone’s health and safety as part of a national approach to contain and limit the impacts of the coronavirus.

Gateway's Management Committee have decided to close the project on a temporary basis to individuals and groups at this time. Gateway is a mental health project and as peers, we understand that it will be more important than ever for people to be able to stay connected while all of this is going on.  We know that isolation and increased worry can be very challenging for our mental health which is why Gateway will provide information and support over the phone while Gateway's facilities are closed.  Peer support sessions over the phone will be also available. Gateway's mobile phones will be open 10.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm. 
PLEASE SAVE THESE NUMBERS INTO YOUR PHONE
Gateway Mobiles:   085-7521220         085-8776001        085-8776002

We know that large groups of people mixing together and being in close contact increases the risk of infection and spread of this virus which may have serious health complications for people with underlying health issues and for those taking certain medications; these include people with lung disorders such as asthma and COPD, heart conditions and medications that affect the heart, auto-immune diseases like diabetes etc, and people who are immune compromised such as people in treatment for cancers and HIV. Therefore, it is clear that to be responsible as a project, Gateway needs to remind members of the risks and how to minimise them.   We also need to ensure that people still have access to vital social support in the community through Gateway and will trial some options during this time to find what works best, at the moment this is limited to support over the phone.

What will change in Gateway?
Drop in changes: temporarily closed until further notice.

Education & Training changes: All courses and activities on hold for time being.

Peer Support: one to one sessions with members of the team will be available over the phone as best we can between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Phone, Text & Email:  we will provide phone, text and email support and information based on the most recent HSE and Public Health updates and for people reaching out for social contact.  Members can phone the Gateway Mobiles on 085-7521220 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday and weekends from 2-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.  If there are large numbers of callers, we will ask people to keep calls for a brief chat so that others can also contact us and may ask that a staff member or volunteer call you back from a different number.

Other changes?
There may be further changes over the next couple of weeks depending on the actions of Govenment and the HSE which might mean Gateway will be in a position to trial other options in line with advice, we will do our best to keep everyone updated by phone, text and email throughout.  We hope that the closure of the project is temporary and we can reopen very soon.  Please do keep in touch with us by phone in the mean time.

Remember for most people the coronavirus is a mild flu-like illness but for some people, particularly with underlying health issues, it can lead to serious complications which is why we all need to do our best to help minimise it and reduce the spread so that less people are affected. 

What to do if you have symptoms?
Phone your GP and follow advice.
If you are diagnosed with coronavirus, a courtesy call to Gateway would be appreciated so that we can help protect other members and staff.

Support numbers for information and telephone support
HSE info line: 1850 241 850 - for updates (8am-8pm Mon-Fri and Sat/Sun 10-5pm) - see HSE live info
ALONE helpline: 0818 222024 - for support (8am-8pm)
Samaritans: 116123 - for support (24 hours)
SeniorLine: 1800 804 591 - for information and support (10am-10pm every day)

If you have cold/flu symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, aches/pains), call your GP immediately. HSE advise that people do not go in person.  Your GP can arrange a test and send a medic to your home – as a precaution you will most likely be expected to isolate yourself at home for a minimum period of two weeks under medical supervision/support.   

If you don’t have support to get shopping or other items because of illness or the need to isolate yourself, there are voluntary local groups being set up in communities to help with this.  Call us in Gateway for information or for a chat and/or text us in Gateway and we will do our best to find the information to support you in practical ways which might involve getting some shopping in for people who don’t have access to support. 

We suggest that members who are peers to one another and/or friendly with one another, consider exchanging their phone numbers and joining the whatsapp group so that people can continue to talk to one another on the phone, especially while drop ins are closed and meet ups not happening.   You can download Whatsapp for your smartphone from iphone and android marketplaces 

Please follow advice from trusted official sources only as there is a lot of misinformation at the moment and it is not helping people – contact the HSE directly for advice and updates on 1850 241 850.

We hope to be back open very soon.

Thanks for your understanding and keep in touch. 

Best wishes,
Fionn & The Gateway Team   

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