The Corona Times

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 10:14:43 GMT

A weekly newsletter to help us through these 'Corona Times'.

We have now discontinued updating The Corona Times.

Thank you for supporting it and we hope you found some of the posts useful over the last few months.

We are still here for you and can help support you in many ways (as well as looking for work for you!). PLEASE get in touch if you need help or suport with anything at all.

As always - stay motivated, stay positive and stay connected.

Team Access x

10 Free ways to learn something from home!

PH701067 — Tue, 26 May 2020 17:44:34 GMT

Martin Lewis has compiled some brilliant suggestions here if you are looking to learn something new...

This includes:

�� Learn a new language

�� Free guitar and piano lessons

✏️ Learn to draw from Disney animators

�� Free Open University qualifications

�� Crack the basics of coding

�� Boost your general knowledge

Click here for more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/deals-hunter/2020/03/free-ways-to-learn-new-skills-at-home/

Tracing Movement Together - a film featuring Millie Hood

PH701067 — Tue, 12 May 2020 18:37:27 GMT

Tracing Movement Together

An isolation dance film showing the strength and endurance of the global dance community during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 crisis.

West End dancers perform How Could I - Theatre Together

PH701067 — Tue, 12 May 2020 18:37:20 GMT

Featuring featuring Ellis Linford-Pill

Together have put together ‘How Could I’ – a video featuring dancers from both West End and colleges with choreography from Chris Whittaker and music by Eden Tredwell

Name The Beard!

PH701067 — Tue, 12 May 2020 18:37:16 GMT

Silly Quiz Time.... who's beard is this?...

You got them?......

Here's the answers....

Melisa Camba - WAIT - song recorded around the world

Wed, 06 May 2020 12:46:38 GMT

Eighteen performers from more than eight different countries came together to record new song WAIT

Created by our amazing Melisa Camba with Lexi Clare and Hannah Cound, the song was written through a series of video calls as the writers are currently spread across three different time zones: Melisa is in the Philippines, Lexi in New Zealand and Hannah in the United Kingdom.

Watch below....

BroadwayWorldUK Feature : https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/VIDEO-International-Performers-Unite-To-Record-New-Song-WAIT-20200428

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOWZCLarHgg

Need your Showreel Editing?

Wed, 06 May 2020 12:46:36 GMT

Our amazing Fabio Santos can edit your videos for you

Contact: fabseditsinfo@gmail.com

Self Employment Support

Wed, 06 May 2020 12:46:31 GMT

Enter your UTR on the link to find out what you can get

WE've had a few people asking about Self Employed Support - HMRC have now set up their support page here: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference

A Cool Head and A Warm Heart in the Time of Corona...

PH701067 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:47:42 GMT

A special free Session

Join tomorrow's special (Wednesday 29nd April, 7-8pm BST) for a free online mindfulness talk and practice with OMC Director WIllem Kuyken, centred around how to keep a cool head and warm heart during this pandemic.

GENERAL SESSION DETAILS

Led by a fully trained Mindfulness Teacher
One session per week, based around a relevant theme/topic to be communicated in advance
Completely free, and suitable for anyone who wishes to take part
Sessions to include guided mindfulness practices, teacher talk, and discussions and questions around the weekly topic
Podcast of the practice and teacher talk to be made available after the session

MISSED A SESSION?

You can catch up with all of our sessions by listening to our podcasts, available on our website here, or via major podcast outlets including Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching 'Oxford Mindfulness Centre'.

ZOOM DETAILS

Each session will be held by ZOOM Video Conferencing, which is completely free to register and use.

ZOOM Link for each session:

https://zoom.us/j/508185186

Emoji Musical Quiz

PH701067 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:27:57 GMT

Can you name the musicals?

Answers....

1. Phantom of the Opera 2. South Pacific 3. Wicked 4. Sound of Music 5. West Side Story 6. Carousel 7. School of Rock 8. The Lion King 9. Book of Mormon 10. Chicago 11. Hamilton 12. Cats 13. Blood Brothers 14. Sunset Boulevard 15. Chess 16. Legally Blonde 17. Cabaret 18. Dirty Dancing 19. Dreamgirls 20. Les Miserables

Build your own Helicopter(!)

PH701067 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:15:57 GMT

OK - not really - just out of paper....

Airbus have released these cool print and make at home booklets that the youngsters can make - although we've heard some of the older ones have enjoyed it too... try one: https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/activities-at-home.html

Quiz 2

PH701067 — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:12:20 GMT

This kept us occupied for 10 mins.... Who are these famous people?

Message us for the answers....

Fun and Free Little Games

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:12:17 GMT

Go 10 minutes to spare?.... Or like a board game?

Fun little games for free: https://www.crazygames.com or if you like board games like Monopoly and Scrabble - you can play for free on your own or against people online here: https://boardgamesonline.net/

Satellites!

PH701067 — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:12:14 GMT

The current clear nights are allowing you to see lots of satellites....

We saw a row of 8 last night and it was fascinating to see. Go to https://james.darpinian.com/satellites/ and enter you postcode to get the times of ones passing over you....

Perfect Podcasts

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:32:56 GMT

Derek Sivers

One of our really good friends and mentors, Derek Sivers, has started pod-casting his brilliant thinking. Derek was the brains behind CD Baby before selling everything to tour the world. He is full of brilliant, innovative and inspirational thinking and his podcasts start from only a minute or so. He also prefers people to read - so each one is transcribed. Be inspired and click here: https://sivers.org/podcast

Cards Against Humanity

PH701067 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:32:36 GMT

The card game for horrid people....

One of our guilty pleasures is playing this game... If you don't have it, Cards Against Humanity have released a free, print-at-home FAMILY edition (the original probably isn't right for the kids, or Grandma...) - go here and give it a go, you don't even need to give them your email address: https://www.cardsagainsthumanityfamilyedition.com/

Filling Your Days

PH701067 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:35:54 GMT

Scheduling - a great way to feel worth

We've been getting lots of ideas and suggestions but one thing became clear and that was building a schedule. As humans we are motivated by achievements. These don't have to be any great feats, but simple things that give us a sense of meaning. Therefore, try and work a schedule into your days. Here's a great example:

Taking Care Of You

PH701067 — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:25:43 GMT

Need a little extra support?

A lot of people swear by Mindfulness and have found it very useful during difficult times. The HEADSPACE app is one frequently recommended and in the last couple of days they have released extra free daily support especially for the Corona Times:

What's included for free?

Free Headspace content will always include the following:

Basics (first ten sessions)

Everyday Headspace (3 sessions)

Falling Back to Sleep Wind Down

There is also a free selection of meditation, sleep, and other experiences designed to support you during the COVID-19 outbreak. It can be found in the Explore tab in the Weathering the Storm category, on the iOS and Android Headspace app and it will include:

Basics 10-day Course

Navigating Change 10-day Course

Stressed single meditation

Walking at home single meditation

Focus single meditation

Panicking SOS session

Feeling Overwhelmed SOS session

Reframe Anxiety Workout (iOS only)

Stress Release Workout (iOS only)

Doze sleep music

Sleeping single meditation

Impermanence and change animation

Remember the Blue Sky animation

The free Headspace trial will not expire after a certain amount of time.

Go to Headspace.com or search Headspace in your app store.

Bored? Try some of these...

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:14:54 GMT

Great stuff to do and inspire you

BORED? Try some of these...

Virtual tours

Roman fort

Museums from around the world - Virtual, online tours

Access to 500 Museums & Art Galleries - Free, online

Future Learn - Explore the architecture and history of Rome, walking around a 3D digital model of the ancient city, with this free online course.

Virtual Tours - Virtual online tours - including zoos, landmarks in foreign countries, etc.
Aquarium – Georgia aquarium allowing you to tour under the sea

Virtual farm trips - American dairy association

Virtual field trips - Created for children, but they look great for adults too!

Online learning

University of Alabama - Free online archaeology and Egyptology Uni courses (create an account to log on)

Open Learn - Free, online courses, Open university

BBC languages - Learn languages online free

FrenchTeacher.Net - Free French study packs

Sociology courses - Free online study

Creative courses - Free online study

A range of short, free online courses

Cambridge University Press - ALL 700 textbooks are currently available FREE in HTML format

Royal institute - Christmas lectures. A series of lectures presenting scientific subjects to a general audience in an entertaining manner.

Learn 10 useful things to say in...

Geography and nature

National Geographic

Tutorful - Top Geography websites, YouTube videos, and resources

Project Noah – Global site where you can view and share wildlife

Seterra - Free world geography, online quizzes

Online film festival - Resistance in the Rainforest

Music

*Check the location/time zones of live-streamed concerts to calculate the UK start time. Time Zone calculator

Concerts online - Various concerts held without audiences to stream online for people having to stay at home - list of live streaming concerts

Free Opera - Dates confirmed until the end of March. Check the website via the link for future dates to be added

Free classical orchestras - Live streaming performances

Free Chamber music - Live streaming

Berlin Philharmonic orchestra - Live streams and performance archive

Announcements/lists - of worldwide performances being streamed

Livestream concerts list - artists and bands

Bands and artists - streaming performances

Full-length concerts - watch online free

Celebrities performing on social media

Facebook Virtual Choir - Duet with a choir online

Arts and culture

J P Brewer - View classic paintings online

Walter's Museum - houses the highest artistic achievements from nearly every corner of the world. View some of the past, present, and future exhibitions

Rob Biddulph an artist posting draw-along videos via Twitter here

Google Arts and culture - Learn something new every day!

British Museum - Free videos

BBC Radio 4 - The History of the world - podcasts

50 things that made modern economy - Podcasts

Literature online

Gutenburg - Download free books, e.g. Shakespear, Edgar Allen Poe, Frankenstein, etc.

Solomon Kingsnorth - Books in PDF, Word and audiobook format - Alice in Wonderland / Wind in the Willows / The Railway Children / The Jungle Book / Peter Pan / Black Beauty

Read great literature online - Free Ebooks, poetry, classic literature

Read Free Literature - also includes study guides

50,000 free ebooks - arranged by genre

Open Library Access - Free

Entertainment

Expeditions App - Free virtual Reality Augmentation app for all ages, to take virtual trips around the world to hundreds of destinations.

Podcasts - Free to download

Board Game arena - Play board games online free

Miscellaneous

UK parliament - Politics, history, citizenship, etc. Written for children and young people, but lots of very interesting information, including how laws are made.

Historical association - Learn about 20th Century history

National Trust sites - Free access to their sites - please check their website first for updates

Latest free stuff - UK site (if you are outside of the UK, google 'latest free stuff' and add your location)