We are delighted to publish our 2021 annual report, and it provides a great opportunity to take a look at some of the things Ecas has been up to from 2020 to 2021!
During this period we’ve continued to battle with an ever changing landscape following the outbreak of COVID-19. Ecas has supported service users and staff to access training in video conferencing software as well as continued IT support to make the transition to online more accessible and less daunting.
Here at Ecas we always try to stay positive, to find the best in situations and to use hardship to inspire creativity. One such thing you will find in our Annual Report is the Poem 2020, written by Angela who attends our Reading and Creative Writing Group.
2020
It has been quite a year
Not too much to make us cheer
In March, we went into lockdown
So no visits into town
No sport was played
As crowds couldn’t gather
We had to keep our hands in a lather
Panic buying on toilet rolls
Which we found rather droll
We used to meet in the classroom
Now we meet on zoom
If going out we have to wear masks
No questions asked
Eventually a vaccine is here
So I hope this virus disappears
Angela
Some of the key points from our Annual Report:
- We have approved 23 applications to our grants fund and have awarded £17,276 to applicants.
- Transitioned to distanced befriending and managed to recruit and train a large number of interim distance befrienders which we hope to support in becoming traditional befriending matches.
- The Music For Fun group composed a valentines song inspired by Lady In Red by Chris De Burgh and composed The Ecas Covid Song which was musically influenced by Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl.
- We have provided regular door-stop craft supply deliveries to enable our Art group to continue in a distanced manner over zoom even managing to continue sing-a-longs which always leads to laughter!
- Ran our biannual volunteer befriender get-together digitally via zoom which included sharing stories, a quiz and Christmas pictionary.
For more information or to apply for any of our services, visit ecas.scot, email hello@ecas.scot or call 07500 221 618. Ecas staff are available to provide an overview of Ecas services at team meetings for potential referral agencies, including the NHS.