Self Care for Carers
Online resources
Whilst it's not for everyone - for carers unable to easily leave the house it's important to find some time for yourself. You might like to read, do a puzzle, watch your favourite soap or you can meet up with friends, learn a new skill or travel the world from the comfort of your armchair.
The Virtual Village Hall is a programme of themed online activities designed to enjoy at home. Sessions are led by expert tutors, Royal Voluntary Service activity coordinators, volunteers and some well-known faces, and require very little space or equipment. You’ll find a wide range of sessions to take part in, like creative arts and crafts, music and singing, cooking and baking, dance and exercise, and technology skills. Join in with live sessions or catch up on demand when suits it you.
Visit the Virtual Village Hall website
Online Learning
A quick search on Google will come up with a number of Online learning courses. Here are a couple that we have come across...
The WEA run courses throughout Essex, since Covid they have increased the number of courses they have available online.
Take virtual tours of England's top attractions
Visit England have compiled a number of different activities and places to 'visit' online.
Visit the Visit England website
Here are just a few examples of what you will find...
Pack in some art, history and culture – learn something new, or admire something old on one of the virtual tours of museums, galleries and heritage attractions, or explore the outdoors without getting your shoes dirty. Some even have interactive elements to get the kids or grandchildren involved!
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Wander through Buckingham Palace
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See Stonehenge with just your socks on.
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Feel the adrenaline as you ride an Alton Towers rollercoaster through your screen
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Tick off all 11 of Banksy’s murals across London and Bristol.
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Discover fascinating abandoned stations and secret tunnels with the London Transport Museum's Virtual Hidden London Tours.
Hang out with animals on your sofa
From penguins to lions, and giraffes to red pandas, UK zoo webcams let you take a sneak peek into the lives of resident animals.
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Meet the meerkats at Paignton Zoo
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Watch live wildlife with the Wildlife Trust
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Go behind the gates at ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo
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See what the animals are getting up to with Colchester Zoo's #BringingTheZooToYou activity
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Catch a glimpse of The Donkey Sanctuary's friendly residents with its 24/7 webcams
Stream theatre, events and concerts
Theatres and concert halls are beginning to open up but you can still escape your day-to-day routine (and help keep the arts alive!) by streaming concerts, dance, plays and catchy musicals from your computer, tablet or phone.
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Sing along to The Wind in the Willows
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Escape day-to-day life with a performance or two from the Northern Ballet.
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Wake up early in December to catch the Winter Solstice sunrise over iconic Stonehenge
Get Creative
A number of artists are putting their work and ideas online.
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Jennifer Collier at Unit Twelve Gallery has a page of ideas for free makes using just paper!
Essex Carers Support has created a short Information Sheet all about Online Resources which you can download.
Download the Online Resources PDF document