Finding Support and Staying Connected During Isolation

Our BuyGiveWork initiative has always relied on people coming together and sharing their time and skills, and this has never been more important. As we all shift to new ways of working and delivering programs, the way in which we support one another will also change. In this blog post, we have collated a list of organisations and partners based in our workspace in Brixton that are offering support and resources to keep you connected and healthy during isolation and highlighted those of our tenants that are seeking support in order to continue the vital work that they do in the community. 

Donate 

South London Cares combat loneliness 
3rd-floor tenant, South London Cares, are working intensively to help older people stay connected - on the phone, digitally and in new ways - during this disconnected time. Donate to support their emergency COVID-19 response to ensure our older neighbours are given the support that they need! Support their campaign on Crowdfunder.

Help Migrateful to survive during the Coronavirus outbreak
Sadly, Migrateful has had to cancel all their cookery classes for the foreseeable future to help protect their chefs and the public from the Coronavirus outbreak. As a small social enterprise relying almost entirely on ticket sales to fund their program, they are being very hard hit by class cancellations. In order to survive the next 3 months, Migrateful has launched a JustGiving campaign in order to raise £40,500. In return for donating you will receive some delicious recipes to keep you busy whilst self-isolating! Follow this link to donate.

Compliments of The House’s Community Call 
Compliments of The House has made the heartbreaking decision to close their surplus shop in Brixton until further notice. However, they are determined to continue helping their most vulnerable guests with bi-weekly emergency supply and food packages consisting of £40 worth of food for vulnerable guests. Find out more and donate what you can by following this link.  

Staying Connected 

A crowdsourced entrepreneurs toolkit 
Business Launchpad has created a crowdsourced online toolkit to help entrepreneurs navigate through these difficult times. Follow this link to download the document and join the community by contributing your own resources, links and support. 

Activities to help you stay connected
South London Cares has curated 30 creative activities - one for every day in April - to help older and younger neighbours stay connected. Download an activity pack today and share it with your friends, family and neighbours!

Virtual Brixton Brunch 
Every Wednesday on the Youth Innovation floor, Business Launchpad hosts a Brixton Brunch from 1 - 2pm where they share updates, opportunities, challenges, and laughs. Last Wednesday, they hosted their first virtual Brixton Brunch via Zoom, and they're looking to continue this in the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in getting involved, please email brixton@businesslaunchpad.org.uk. 

Open discussions with IFT
Independent Film Trust is developing a more sustainable working model for their charity to continue delivering projects for the visual arts sector. As a part of this, they will run regular open discussion sessions via Zoom for anyone wanting to take an active role in shaping these new ways of working. These sessions will focus on financial sustainability, building new networks and establishing new ways to produce and exhibit projects remotely. Find out more on their website. 

Mental health and wellbeing 

Maintaining your mental health during self-isolation
3rd-floor tenant, HelloSelf, an online therapy clinic are providing a variety of resources on maintaining mental health during this challenging period. You can find blogs, diagrams, and Q&A videos, all created by Clinical Psychologists, on their website. HelloSelf can also help you find a therapist, with sessions being carried out via their own video platform, should you feel that you need to talk to a mental health professional. 

Mental health support group online
Cocoon Family Support based on the 6th floor invite mothers to join them every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am via Zoom for a chat in a safe space about pregnancy, parenting, mental health and life.