At SeeAbility the health and safety of people we support, their family and friends and our colleagues is of top priority. The situation around coronavirus is fast evolving and we are aware that people may be feeling anxious so we want to reassure you that we’re doing all we can to reduce the risk of infection and to support preparedness, so we can respond quickly to this changing situation, and maintain essential support.

SeeAbility is following the latest government guidance including specific measures to be taken when supporting people in residential homes, supported living and people’s own homes.  We are maintaining and increasing our high standards of infection control, with a focus on hand hygiene, increasing our cleaning routines and using personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of any virus. People are requested to refrain from visiting SeeAbility operating locations if they have symptoms of coronavirus and advised to follow the same hygiene practices as staff. Contractors are being kept to a minimum, for essential maintenance work only. Alongside this, we have reviewed and are continuously updating our business continuity plans, with an emphasis on staffing arrangements and potential for disruption to supply chains.

We’re also working closely with Learning Disability England who are hosting great resources for people with learning disabilities and families on their hub, and are collaborating with other charities on communication advice for health and social care staff. 

You may also be interested in this resource from The Learning Disability Professional Senate, designed to support families and carers of people with learning disabilities through the Coronavirus restrictions

If you have a friend or relative who is being supported by SeeAbility, you should be receiving regular updates via your Service Manager and more general news via our Friends and Family newsletter. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please email friendsfamily@seeability.org.

Please be assured we will continue to take advice daily from Department of Health & Social Care, Public Health England and the NHS and if advice changes at any point we will action any recommendations immediately. If you have any concerns, please speak to your Service Manager.

Some of the people we support have begun writing a blog about their experiences of the coronavirus lockdown. Click here to hear from Emily, Greg, Grace and Gabby.