A CHARITY for adults with learning disabilities has announced it is working on plans to support family visits as residents have been in lockdown for almost four months.

Acorn Village, in Clacton Road, Mistley, is also working on plans to reopen its day-care services for people living there.

Michelle Cook, director of the charity, said residents and tenants have been in lockdown since March 16, where some days feel like a short time, but others feel a lot longer.

“We have mastered masks and can quote guidance off the top of our heads,” she said.

“Social distancing is now part of everyday discussions and our staffing teams continue to shine during these very strange times.

“Our residents and tenants are managing brilliantly and albeit with much longer hair, have approached this pandemic with resilience and understanding.

“We are now moving into a recovery stage of how we get things back to what is usual day to day life for us.

“We are taking things slowly and with a very cautious approach but its lovely as an organisation to have things to look forward to.”

She also reminded residents they are still not accepting material donations and the main site is still closed to the public under Government guidelines.

Mrs Cook said in the past couple of weeks they have had people walk on the site, attempting to drop off donations as well as leaving them outside their main hall.

She said: “We are working really hard to keep everyone as safe as we can and minimise the risk of Covid-19 and have taken the decision to continue to not have material donations until we can ensure we have the facility to manage them appropriately.

“We understand we all have the time currently to have a good sort out and we welcome your items when we have everything in place, this includes donating items to the Acorn Village charity shop, in Manningtree.

“The charity shop is now open, and I’d like to say thank you for the visits so far.

“It is bringing back much needed charitable funds and it’s also great to feel part of the local community again.”

The charity shop, in High Street, is currently open on weekdays between 10am and 2pm.

People can buy puzzles, dresses, craft items, books and even tomato plants and hydrangeas grown at Acorn Village.