Life in Lockdown - TLC Transforming Lives

Many of us are looking out for positive news and ways to improve our wellbeing during lockdown so I'm contacting organisations I usually work with in the community to see how they are staying connected in lockdown. Today it's TLC Transforming Lives

Tell us a bit about you / your organisation

Transform Lives Company (or TLC for short) is a social enterprise based in Blackburne House. We're driven by a passion to deliver effective sustainable development support for people looking to achieve meaningful livelihoods, whether that's to find work or simply live a healthier happier life.

What sort of work do you/your organisation normally do in the community?

We're all about people, working with people, that's what we're great at! Under normal circumstances right now we'd be running GiveGetGo which links people to volunteering in places like the University, Safari Park and Speke Hall as well as providing training to use that experience to gain paid employment. We'd also have people on our Positive Lifeology course, learning to live a happy life, controlling stress and developing new skills to deal with what life throws at you. We'd also be running our yoga classes and meeting lots of people for chats and brews.

How are you staying connected with the community during lockdown?

During April we've been furloughed, but from the 27th we'll be GiveGet and keep Going on-line. Our programme managers Charlie and Sharon have too many WhatsApp groups to mention keeping people connected, they're making phone calls, zoom calls, texts... not everyone wants to connect in the same way so we're learning to adapt. Sophie had the great idea to go old school and send cards in the post. I can't begin to describe how well these have been received, get well cards or cards of encouragement, people love them. All our yoga classes are on line, so Karen and Lauren have been having fun learning how to use Facebook Live and getting over their fears of performing live to the world! Lee has been doing 10 minute meditations via our facebook and You tube channel, just giving people the opportunity to stop and take a break from the world. Last but not least Chell our volunteer has set up a Stay-Yay group on Facebook, a community where people can safely share, have fun and enjoy things together even though they're miles apart. We'll be doing all of this and more just watch this space. Come and join our Facebook community or catch up on You Tube

Are you taking part in any fun activities to help you through lockdown?

At TLC we look after each other so we can look after others, having fun is just what we do. There's no doubt that this is a tough time but when life gives you lemons you make lemonade right? Lauren has been baking (yes she has flour), doing lots of yoga and in now on week 4 of Couch to 5km, you can track her progress on Facebook. Charlie is letting her creative streak run riot, her garden is filled with bunting and she's now got a sideline in homemade (and very pretty) face masks. Veggies have been planted, choir zooms joined, we all compete in the pub quiz on a Thursday, there's bike rides, 10km runs, guitar playing, quiz leading, Joe Wick's PE lessons....... We've all got our own little timetable and we're sticking to it!