Face to face therapy and advice at our centre in Malvern has almost ceased due to Covid-19. Our clients are some of the most vulnerable in the local community, struggling with complex life threatening conditions arising from Cerebral Palsy, Autism, MS, MND, stroke, Parkinson’s and Down Syndrome. They are further isolated without access to therapy and advice which keeps them connected and communicating with others. They are at significant risk of mental health challenges and feelings of isolation and loneliness as restrictions and social distancing continues. Remote support through tele-therapy, helplines and digital media training will enable beneficiaries to access therapy, equipment and support at home, enabling improvement of their physical conditions and their mental health. Our actions will encourage some of the most vulnerable people to stay at home, reducing infection rates and preventing illness, potential hospitalisation and the significant risk of early death.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide telephone conferencing therapy
• Video and phone information, advice and guidance. Remote support for carers
• Loan essential devices and equipment for disadvantaged families

Why it's a great idea:

Tele-therapy will enable our clients to continue their vital life changing treatment, helping improve communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The effects of clients symptoms are often pervasive, extending beyond the health and happiness of the individual, require long term treatment and affect the lives of everyone around them. Many of our existing beneficiaries and families are exhausted by the constant demand of caring for a person with complex medical needs and are desperate to speak to someone who understands their circumstances. We have set up a video/phone information, advice and guidance network, allowing carers, family members and beneficiaries to phone in for ad hoc or regular support and to enquire and organise equipment loan. We are trialing video conferencing in small networking groups to help combat the increased isolation people are experiencing, now they are unable to meet.

Steps to get it done:

• Support at least 15 people a week via our advice and information phone line
• Deliver at least 20 tele-therapy sessions a week

This project relies on ARCOS having the right equipment and dedicated non-contested network to deliver the therapy our clients so desperately need. We are unable to deliver tele-therapy to multiple clients at the same time as we don't have the technology and network needed. Some of our clients who are disadvantaged are unable to access the tele-therapy purely due to not having a device to receive it on. They often require specialist equipment, which we can source and loan out to them, through tele-therapy our Therapists can ensure they are benefitting from the equipment and using it correctly to ensure maximum benefit.. We want to be able to offer tele-therapy to all those that need it at the times they need it, so purchase of devices, the ability to loan essential life changing equipment, and a dedicated network would enable us to do this, making a huge difference to those that are vulnerable, isolated and at risk of suffering mental health challenges without our support.