Annual Report 2023
Keys Group is pleased to announce the publication of its Annual Report for 2023.
How Accomplish Group Helps Combat Loneliness
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and its theme is loneliness. Loneliness is of course something which can affect anyone at any time. But the pandemic and periods of lockdown greatly increased the risk of people feeling lonely, with a detrimental effect on their mental health and well-being.
For the people we support at Accomplish and the staff team who support them, it was a complex time. It was vital to keep everyone safe, but so important that people did not feel increasingly isolated while restrictions were in place.
It was tough; the people we support couldn’t visit their families, or have their families visit them. They couldn’t go out to do all the things they enjoy in their busy lives. People within homes might have to isolate or homes go into individual lockdown to protect everyone. Staff were not immune; as well as supporting people at work, they faced the same challenges and restrictions as everyone else when they returned home.
Even in homes where several people live together, the risk of loneliness does not go away; just being with people on a daily basis doesn’t mean you can’t feel lonely or isolated, we discovered. It’s about being with the people you want to be with, when you want to – that’s the key. And seeing the same people day in, day out for weeks on end could also exacerbate that feeling of loneliness.
At Accomplish our vision is to make every day amazing and, it’s fair to say, everyone went above and beyond to make that happen while restrictions were in place. The range of amazing activities and fun events which went on every day was truly staggering. But of course, they were by their very nature, very ‘home’ based as they had to be.
We asked ourselves: what can we do to bring people together in a safe and fun way, a place where they can enjoy meeting new people, speak to friends and do things they enjoy doing – all without leaving the home? And so the Accomplish Social Club was born.
Held several days a week over Zoom, the Social Club is an Accomplish phenomenon. Its sessions include “Carol’s Crafting Corner” (where Carol, a person we support, leads sessions on how to create wonderful pieces of craft), Book Club, quizzes, discos, BSL lessons and the ever-popular Coffee Morning. The Coffee Mornings cover a different topic of conversation every week and everyone gets stuck in sharing their views – they don’t hold back. From the Government’s lockdown parties to President Donald Trump – there’s always plenty to talk about.
This week, to mark Mental Health Week, we joined the Coffee Morning crew to ask if the Social Club had made a difference to their experience of lockdown; had being able to meet up with new friends helped them feel less lonely?
First up is Casey. She loves the Social Club and really enjoys Carol’s crafting sessions in particular. She’s a regular at the Coffee Morning.
She said: “I was lonely during COVID and it was difficult for me to cope. I was upset that I couldn’t see my Mum except online. The Social Club helped me. I like the discos and coffee mornings – we should have more of them!”
Brenda is also a fan of the Social Club. During lockdown she too struggled with not being able to see her family and really missed her sister-in-law who regularly visits and the two enjoy days out together.
She said: “It was difficult during COVID. I didn’t like wearing facemasks. It could make me more lonely because I couldn’t see whether people were smiling or not. I usually go to a day centre and I missed that and the people I see there. I was tearing my hair out, I thought I would go mad.
“The Social Club really helped. I could talk to other people, I could talk to Anna and Chris who organise it. That helped.”
Christine and Amanda, who live together, agree that the Social Club really helps, even now that lockdown and restrictions are over. Because people living in residential homes still have to isolate when they test positive for COVID, the opportunities for loneliness can creep back in. They both agree that having the Social Club as a way of keeping in touch and enjoying activities has been a real lifeline.
Anny said that while the Social Club isn’t quite the same as going to Costa for hot chocolate (something she really enjoys too) it has helped her “feel less lonely and less sad”.
She’s enjoyed the Book Club and enjoyed listening to Matilda and really likes the Coffee Mornings.
Peter makes the most of all of the activities and sessions the Social Club offers, with Quiz Night being a particular favourite.
He said: “During lockdown I felt cut off. I am very close to my brothers and I couldn’t see them. I felt like I was unwanted. I couldn’t go to Age UK like I usually do. Coming to the Social Club helps me feel less lonely, I see lots of different people and I really enjoy it.”
Activities Co-Ordinator Chris Ansell is one of the organisers of the Social Club. He says:
“The Social Club is a great way to bring people together who might not meet each other under normal circumstances and people can dip in and out of the things they like. We have some people who only join us for quizzes, and we have others who only join the Coffee Morning.
“Everything’s very light-hearted and we’ve held everything from fundraising events for Red Nose Day to Pamper Days via the Social Club. Everyone’s very knowledgeable and getting together like this has been a great way to speak to different people and get to know them.
“Now the restrictions have been lifted, we hope to get people together in person and the friendships that have grown through the Social Club can continue to thrive in ‘real life’.”
We leave the group chuckling at one of Casey’s “bad jokes” and discussing “Partygate” and making arrangements for next week’s get together. Casey requests karaoke…. Watch this space!
Share this news
News and events
Unlocking Trust and Stability: A Journey of Positive Behaviour Support with Adnan
The Positive Behaviour Support team at Accomplish work directly with services, and the people they...
Navigating Anxiety at Disneyland Paris with The Power of Positive Behaviour Support
Anya* who lives in an Accomplish supported living service used to experience anxiety on a...
Hugglescote: How Alfie’s Courage Made a Potentially Life-Saving Difference
Alfie*, a person supported by Accomplish, proved to be a superhero recently when he helped...
Personalised Support at Bective House Leads to Vital Treatment Adherence for Laura with Acute Kidney Failure
Positive and consistent support is helping a person living at Bective House, an Accomplish supported...
Enhancing Care with Activity and Communication Passports at Pathway House
When it comes to supporting individuals in our services, personalised care is of the utmost...
Enhancing Lives Through Positive Behaviour Support: A Conversation with Accomplish’s PBS Lead, Ben Adkins
Improving quality of life is the main focus of positive behaviour support, a goal which...
Turning Goals into Achievements: Adam’s Inspiring Transition to Independent Living
A gradual and positive approach to support has seen Adam* meet his goals and successfully...
Lydia’s Success Story: From Job Hunting to Job Landing
Such was her determination to secure work and enjoy productive days, 22-year-old *Lydia didn’t let...
VIPs attend renaming ceremony of Accomplish service in Birmingham
VIPs attend the renaming ceremony of Accomplish service in Birmingham
Felix’s Memorial Garden: A Touching Tribute at Evergreen
When a person lives in a residential service for many years, it truly becomes their...
Accomplish Supports People to Achieve Milestone of Independent Overseas Trip
Three people supported by Accomplish have taken their first ever wholly independent overseas trip and...
Empowered by Support: Phil’s Courageous Return to the Community After 12 Years
Discover how Phil’s triumphant return to the community after 12 years, fuelled by support and...
VIPs attend opening of new supported living development in Rushden
VIP guests gathered to celebrate the official opening of a new supported living development which...
Keys Group Annual Report 2022
Keys Group is pleased to announce the publication of its Annual Report for 2022, which...
Brain Injury Awareness Week – Boston House
Boston House is a specialist residential neurological service in Oldham which supports adults whose health...
Alternative Therapies at Fairford Court
Accomplish’s Fairford Court has introduced alternative therapies to improve the physical and mental wellness of...
Chepstow House Gardening Success Story
The gardening skills of a person supported at a Ross-on-Wye specialist care service have been...
Josh Gains Independence After Getting a Job and a Flat
2022 was a year for achieving long-held ambitions for Josh; not only did he secure...
Accomplish’s Fairford Court and Kemble House Services Host an Animal Day
People supported by Accomplish’s Fairford Court and Kemble House residential services recently took part in...
Success Story – Elm House Resident Moves Into Independent Flat in the Community
A person supported at Accomplish’s Elm House has recently stepped down from supported living into...
Westhope Mews Supported Living Super Stars Club
A group set up during lockdown to help people share positivity in a specialist care...
Accomplish Services Celebrate their First Christmas Party Since 2019
More than 100 people supported by Accomplish in its Midland services enjoyed their Christmas party...
Accomplish Cheshire and Manchester Supported Living Raise funds for Pets as Therapy
People supported by Accomplish Cheshire and Manchester supported living services recently attended a Christmas party...
Introducing our new values
It’s been a really exciting time recently as our organisation has grown and evolved. A...
Cildewi House raise money for Pets As Therapy
Cildewi House has raised more than £200 for charity by holding a fun-packed fundraising day.
Commercial Team raise £1,200 for Charity
The commercial team within Accomplish have been putting their best foot forward and raised more...
Glebe Road introduce new interview panel
Glebe Road is a residential service supporting people with mental health needs as they move...
Accomplish celebrates being shortlisted for prestigious awards
Accomplish is celebrating the news that the organisation and colleagues working within it have been...
New Managing Director Joins Accomplish
Accomplish has appointed a new Divisional Managing Director.
Darren’s woodworking skills put to use
THE WOODWORKING and ‘DIY’ skills of a person supported in a specialist Accomplish care home...
The Social Club on World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is a chance for everyone to reflect on what makes them...
Mayor unveils Accomplish Service New Name
An event to mark the renaming of a Dorset specialist brain injury service welcomed some...
September 21, 2022
National Fitness Day – 21st September 2022
Physical activity and its positive impact on a person’s mental well-being has long been established....
September 20, 2022
Daredevil Regional Manager Raises More Than £1,800 for Charity
Donna Wood, Regional Manager at Accomplish Group, is a self-confessed ‘adrenaline junkie’ and relishes taking...
September 9, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022
Everyone across Accomplish Group would like to express their deep sadness on the passing of...
September 6, 2022
Acquisition of Welsh Supported Living Provider Recovery Care
Accomplish Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Welsh specialist supported living provider Recovery...
July 27, 2022
Regional Manager Completes Triathlon for Charity
To raise money for good causes, some people decide to tackle a sporting challenge. But...
July 26, 2022
Over 100 Shoeboxes Filled with Essential Items Delivered to Ukrainian Refugees
As the devastating conflict in Ukraine continues, the people we support at Accomplish have been...
July 18, 2022
Person We Support Builds Bird House and Shares His Template With Others
A birdhouse created by a person we support has been such a success, he is...
July 8, 2022
Prime Time TV Programme has a Positive Impact on a Person we Support’s Life
A prime time television talent show has inspired a person we support to get involved...