Coronavirus – keeping our participants and partners safe

Updated 26/03/2020

The health and safety of everyone on the New Leaf programme, including participants and employees, is very important to us. As you will be aware, the situation regarding Coronavirus is rapidly developing and there are currently many ‘unknowns’ regarding how the pandemic will develop and what measures will be put in place at national and local levels.

As it stands, we are following Publish Health England (PHE) advice and therefore we are:

• suspending all face-to-face appointments and group sessions. However, we are continuing to provide our support through alternative means to make sure we continue to offer a high-level of support to the people on the New Leaf programme. Please make sure you keep in contact with your mentor to find out the latest information.
• encouraging employees and participants to wash their hands at regular intervals throughout the day for 20 seconds, with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
• continuing to accept referrals onto the New Leaf programme during this difficult time period to make sure people are getting the support they need to get closer to employment.
• asking everyone to follow the Government’s guidelines below so we can help reduce the spread of coronavirus and help one another.

For all the latest information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Government’s information page which is regularly updated with the latest details.

Maintaining your mental health

With the number of unknowns around coronavirus, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and nervous during this time. The Mental Health Foundation has put together a list of things you can do to support and manage our wellbeing during this time.

You can read the full article here.

If you are a current participant and feel like you need support with your mental health, please get in contact with your mentor who can refer you to remote mental health support.

Our mental health team have also recommended the following apps to help you maintain your mental health while at home:

• MoodTools – Depression Aid
  Great for information and activities to help with depression, including diaries used in CBT.
  Android
  Apple
• Calm Harm
  For anyone struggling with thoughts of self harm.
  Android
  Apple
• Self Help
  Has the CBT based booklets that community service use, but it’s currently only available on Apple.
  Apple

If you are really struggling, please call the Samaritans: 116 123

Keep in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch:
E: newleaf@torus.co.uk
T: 01925 452131

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will be updating our social media with any changes.

New Leaf is led by Torus Foundation and is part of the Building Better Opportunities Programme, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and The National Lottery Community Fund.