First of GTDT hygiene packs

What a team effort it was yesterday making up the first 70 of our hygiene packs. These will be sent to the vunerable and the people who are in isolation in the local area.

Stay safe x

DROWNING IN PLASTIC

I’m glad to say that GTDT has been red-hot on recycling for a long time. Here is me drowning in the plastic re-cycling process. You don’t need to suffer this way as the blue bin collections are carrying on, even though all the waste disposal centres are closed due to the Corona virus.

Some time back we held a recycling session for some of the local kids. I told the story of Albi the Albatross, who died from being fed pieces of plastic by his mother that looked like food. An adult albatross can fly several times round the world without touching land, feeding by catching fish (and sadly plastic) by dipping into the sea. We talked about how plastic found its way into the oceans by being dumped and then washed into rivers. One of the young lads asked: ‘Is it our fault?’ He looked ashamed and we had to make it clear that we all contribute to this if we dump plastic. Keep up the recycling.

And the cycling. One of the few plus sides to these scary times is that the roads are relatively clear of cars, so cycling is not only better for the environment, the environment is better for cycling. So, if you can and if you have one; get on your bike. In normal times (whatever they are) I do most things by bike – visiting friends, going to poetry readings, doing the weekly shop (with two panniers and a rucksack), which sadly I can’t now do – though I can still get down to my Dingle Vale allotment, where social distancing is a fact of life, unless you hold parties on your plot.

I think I may be an obsessive recycler as well as ditto cyclist and expect to be buried in a blue bin (though not just yet I hope), or even a green one (being an equally obsessive composter). But, thinking of a Blog to come (My Other Body is a Temple – You Should See the State of It!), it will most likely be Corpy Purple.

Now it’s time for me to ride off into the sunset – actually it’s a full moon tonight, so maybe I’ll do an ET instead!

GTDT is still working hard to support you!

We know the last few weeks have been hard for everyone, from adjusting to new ways of shopping, to new ways of interacting with friends and family and new ways of working - every aspect of life has changed.

At GTDT we have had to significantly change the way we work and you can click here to find out how our services have changed, but we are continuing to work hard to support you, our community during these strange times.

Over the last week, we have been supporting people who are self-isolating for health reasons and families who need to socially distance by keeping in touch with them using a wide range of means (including social media, email and telephone).

Where more assistance is needed we have been helping out where possible by providing food and hygiene parcels to those most in need.

Additionally we have been working with partners to develop a range of provide distance learning courses for adults (it's a good time to learn a new skills, if you are isolating), helping provide printed work for those home-schooling, facilitating donations of items such as wheelchairs and generally helping out where needed around our community.

But we couldn't do any of this work without the incredible team of staff and volunteers that are keen to support everyone they can throughout the changes and challenges that are facing us all! Thank you!

#StayAtHome and stay safe

Helping Hand

Although due to current circumstances Granby Toxteth Development Trust doors  are currently closed to the public its business as usual.  It hasn't stopped us getting out and about to help families in the community. We  have been delivering food and hygiene packs to those individuals or families  who are currently in social isolation or  struggling with their own personal circumstances. Granby Toxteth Development Trust  has committed to delivering  on a weekly basis this service during these very difficult and worrying times. Keep Safe

Distance Learning with GTDT

Keep active, keep connected, keep learning!

Are you in self-isolation or following the Stay at Home advice? Fancy taking part in a distance learning course to break the boredom and learn a new skill?

If you are 19+, not working and living in one of the below wards we are developing a range of distance/online courses. The wards we are covering are Riverside, Princes Park, Picton, Kensington, Old Swan and Knotty Ash.

Initially we are planning the following courses:
Introduction to British Sign Language
Employability Skills
Book Club
Garden Design & Maintenance
Health & Wellbeing
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Driving Theory for Employment
Paediatric First Aid

Interested? Get in touch!

** Please note you will need basic digital skills and internet access at home to participate