After months of lockdowns and restrictions, it’s important that we look after our mental and physical health. We have compiled a list of resources to help you get through this, whether that’s learning a new skill, keeping fit, discovering new hobbies, getting creative or just having some fun!
If you are struggling with your mental health or any other issues, we have listed some links to support and guidance that you may find helpful.
For any learners currently with City Gateway, remember that your coach is still just a phone call away so please reach out if you need anything.
/ get active
- Super fun kickboxing and boxing workouts with Billy Banks
- The Body Coach TV with Joe Wicks has 250+ free workouts
- Over 500 free workouts from celebrity trainers and fitness experts with POPSUGAR Fitness
- Dance cardio studio 305 Fitness are offering free dance fitness classes on its YouTube channel
- Helping to maintain healthy lifestyle with professional training with Fitness Blender
- Free at-home workouts and playlists from Our Parks #TurnUpToneUp
- NHS Home Workouts includes accessible 10 minute cardio and strengthening workouts, or check out the NHS Fitness Studio for a wider range of exercises including aerobic, pilates and yoga
- This Girl Can has put together a great list of exercises to try at home, from table top press ups to living room wall sits, or for some fun with the kids check out their Disney dance along videos
- Free yoga and mindfulness sessions with Adriene or try some Pilates with The Girl with the Pilates Mat
/ culture and entertainment
- Take this rare opportunity to watch world class ballet at home for free, including English National Ballet. Visit whatsonstage.com for a comprehensive list of stage shows, musicals and opera
- The Social Distancing Festival contains a huge list of videos and live streams of performances from around the world, including music, dance and visual art
- Take a virtual tour of an art gallery or museum, here are 10 of the best tours
- You can even take a virtual tour of a theme park, zoo or aquarium, here’s a round up of the best, including this Panda cam from Atlanta Zoo
/ learn something new
- Easy and simple cooking with Delia Smiths Online Cookery School
- Learn to take better photos with these free Photography Ebooks
- Learn to code at home with Free Code Camp
- Learn to dance the Ballroom, Cha Cha and Bachata
- Get creative with daily challenges in January set by Do Think Share or 64 Million Artists
- Learn a new language with Duolingo
- Start a free online course in just about anything via Future Learn or Open Learn
/ games
- Play two player games like connect 4 and lots more for free
- Build your own game, or play games with others online with Roll20
- The TV show Taskmaster’s is setting fun home challenges to do
- Play board games online with your friends and thousands of people around the world
/ mental health and wellbeing
- How to cope with stress, anxiety and isolation during Covid-19 quarantine on Udemy.com
- Body & Soul have launched the MindSET Livestream session for people aged 16 – 30 who are looking for help to manage emotional distress
- Self Care strategies for young people
- Guides and information for teenagers mental health here
- The Mental Health Foundation have comprehensive resources and support for dealing with mental health issues, including mindfulness
- 25 apps for dealing with mental health issues here
- Mood Panda app for tracking your mood and getting anonymous support
- Teen mental health guide for parents here
- Support for men in relation to the link between body image and mental health here
/ support services
- Kooth have free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Shelter Housing Advice Helpline: 0330 0536091 for 18 – 25 year olds who need advice around housing
- The Samaritans 116 123 (24hrs) – if you’re feeling very low, feeling suicidal or need to talk to somebody urgently
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 (24hrs) – if you’re in an abusive or violent relationship or fleeing any kind of violence or abuse, and need help urgently
- Young Minds Parentline – offers information and advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under the age of 25 – 0808 802 5544
- Papyrus – charity working to prevent young suicide with a helpline for those worried about themselves or someone they know (call 0800 068 4141; text 0778 620 9697).
- OK Rehab specialises in local drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment
/ food banks
- The Trussle Trust is the UK’s biggest network of food banks, search for your nearest food bank
- The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) is a group of nearly 930 grassroots food banks supporting communities across the UK, find your local IFAN venue using this interactive map
- Online tools like Bankuet and Foodbank App can also be used to find your local food bank as well as discovering what resources that they most urgently need
- If you’re based in Tower Hamlets, the First Love Foundation give food, support and advice to local people in crisis
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