Edinburgh charities partner to support the local community during the COVID-19 crisis
Leading care charity and community hub, the Eric Liddell has received support from the Rotary Club of Braids to assist the Centre’s continuing care for the elderly and vulnerable during COVID-19.
Although the Eric Liddell Centre’s building has been closed since March 2020 due to COVID pandemic restrictions, John MacMillan, the Centre’s CEO and his team have delivered online classes and activities to assist their clients during lockdown and beyond.
As part of this ongoing commitment, the Centre has received the gift of nine Amazon Fire Tablets from the Rotary Club of Braids, which will support elderly clients who are shielding or self-isolating.
The tablets will allow people to participate in ongoing online daily classes such as Indian Dance class, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Mindfulness and Meditation to reflect the classes and workshops which they previously experienced at the Centre.
Not only will the tablets provide engagement and enjoyment for those who are elderly and living with dementia, they will also help to reduce stress placed upon carers who are providing full-time care.
The Centre provides carers with their own online Cuppa & Chat events, Health & Wellbeing chats and workshops and has recently launched an online Music Therapy Service.
John MacMillan, CEO, Eric Liddell Centre said: –
“My team at the Eric Liddell Centre has been exceptional ever since COVID-19 appeared. After we had to close the Centre, the team had support services for our clients up and running within 24 hours.
“Due to COVID-19 the only way most people can stay connected with their family, friends and loved ones is via the internet.
“We greatly appreciate the support from the Rotary Club of Braids, their donation gives a chance for our clients to experience the online world, to engage with our ongoing online classes and to keep in touch with others”.
The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Braids are pleased to confirm that nine tablets have been distributed to the Eric Liddell Centre for the use and benefit of dementia sufferers. The tablets have come with specific apps recommended by Dementia specialists.
President of Rotary Club of Braids, Stewart Sandilands explained:-
“The Rotary Foundation provides money for over a 1,000 projects each year and this year supported by technology provided by Dixons Carphone have been able to supply Amazon Fire Tablets for the use and benefit of dementia sufferers. We are delighted to be able to supply 9 such tablets to provide support and assistance to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
We are confident that valued partners, the Eric Liddell Centre, will be able to utilise these tablets to their best effect. The Eric Liddell Centre have been extremely active in providing support to the lonely and isolated during the pandemic and this tool will hugely help their work.”
Since the first lockdown in 2020, the Eric Liddell Centre has put in place online, digital, health and wellbeing activities to keep mind, body and soul active.
The Centre’s Innovative support programmes are for those within Edinburgh who are in the “sheltered” group, as a result of advanced age, health condition or disability, or in a caring role. These people are socially disconnected from friends, family and loved ones and as a result, are in need of emotional support to respond to loneliness and isolation, financial worry, anxiety and depression, health concerns and, very sadly, bereavements.
