We are always incredibly proud of the commitment our staff show in supporting the autistic children and adults in our care but never more so than during this pandemic.

Despite everyone working so hard to limit the spread of Covid 19 and having so many new procedures in place, the second wave has unfortunately seen a number of positive cases amongst our staff and the people we support. One of our adult residential houses in Norfolk being particularly affected.

But when faced with this incredibly challenging situation the whole charity has worked together to ensure the safety and continued support of all the individuals in our care as a team.  Cleaners, cooks, support staff, seniors, deputies, MDT, H&S, managers, directors, CEO and Trustees have all offered and given their support throughout. Taking on additional shifts, changing their normal places of work and even bringing in a home cooked roast dinner for the residents and entire staff team!

It has truly been a team effort to get us through to what we hope is the other side of this horrible virus, and we think this wonderful poem below, written by a senior in the home captures it perfectly.  

A heartfelt thank you to you all.

Teamwork & Coronavirus

Two thousand and twenty, what an awful year,
Coronavirus brought lots of fear.
But here in the East, for ten months we stayed clear,
And then it crept in at the end of the year.

We started with two, and then it was three,
On went the scrubs and the full PPE.
We all got through Christmas and then the new year,
And then boy it hit us and heightened our fear.

One by one the staff did go off,
Some had no symptoms and others a cough.
But we carried on testing with buds up the nose,
The rest of the staff to the challenge, they rose.

Two weeks in, and with skeleton staff,
Nobody here was having a laugh.
But onto the floor came the Managers keen,
To help with support, they formed part of the team.

We’re nearing the end now, and I have to say,
The stepping up has saved the day.
For those we support are still happy and bright,
As we closed the door at the end of the night.

The ship didn’t sink, though at times it felt thus,
A pat on the back is what we should give us.
This was the worst that we’ve ever seen,
So just keep the motto “we’re living the dream”.

It’s been such a challenge, for all of us few,
And I like to offer a really big Thank you.
Although just a senior, with really no clout,
I work with the best team and that I’ve no doubt.

Written by Pat Miller - Senior Support Worker at Autism Anglia