Covid-19: Updates on our Services and useful resources

Posted on 14 April 2020

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As social distancing measures remain in place, the team at Tourettes Action will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. We hope to continue offering support with as little disruption as possible.

Firstly we would like to reassure the TS community, after consulting with our Honorary Medical Advisor, that Tourette Syndrome does not qualify as an underlying health condition that would make you more vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Having TS does not result in any higher risk of becoming seriously ill.  Some people with TS will have other underlying health conditions which might put them at increased risk (please visit the NHS website for details), in which case they must follow goverment and medical advise (111 online), to keep themselves safe and well.  

In such unprecedented and uncertain times, you may notice your TS symptoms intensify, as well as co-occurring conditions including ADHD, OCD, anxiety and depression.  We have changed our helpdesk hours so that we can offer phone, email and online support throughout the week.

Live chat:  Instant support via our website available Monday to Thursday 10am – 3pm

Contact the Helpdesk: Send contact form and we will get back to you

Helpline telephone 0300 777 8427: available every Monday 6pm - 8pm and Thursday 9am - 2pm and 6pm - 8pm

Request a callback: leave a message on 0300 777 8427 and we will get back to you
(we will endeavour to get back to you within 48 hours)

We are also running online support groups for parents, adults and teenagers.  

Katie Skinner, our resident Specialist Teacher SEMH (Swale), has created a fantastic resource for adults, parents, and young people called 'What If...A Practical Guide to Possible Problems'.  

A “What if” board is a strategy for making plans to combat potential difficult situations. It helps us to identify what our worries are, and make plans to manage them. It’s a simple but effective strategy for managing big changes or common problems.  During the current Covid-19 pandemic people are facing unprecedented changes to their daily lives, and are coping with anxieties related to health, finances and worries about family members.  To support you we have compiled responses to some potential “What ifs” in the hope that they may provide you with some support and guidance at this difficult time.

The current lockdown means that many of us have disrupted routines and are largely confined to our homes.  This can affect our sleep cycle and our mood. Sleep is essential for learning, growth, cell repair and memory consolidation. It is fundamental in supporting our physical and mental health and wellbeing.  Specialist Teacher SEMH (Swale) and Sleep Scotland Sleep Counsellor - Katie Skinner - has produced some top tips to help you get a regular good nights sleep.  Download our resource here.

Read our blog from TA Education Manager Lucy, on realistic expectations around home schooling.  We also think this information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by 'The Gruffalo' illustrator, Axel Scheffler is great.

If you experience suggestible tics, and coughing tics; we have produced cards for when you need to make those essential trips in public, to help explain your symptoms should you feel you need that extra support. You can download and print the cards here.

We have taken the difficult but neccessary decision to cancel our most imminent events including workshops, professional training and some TICfest events. We will keep you posted on our website and social media regarding further possible cancellations and re-scheduled events as the situation progresses.

This short video shows nine year old Barney who last year attended one of our TICfest events (funded by Children In Need).  He shares his feelings on how he found the lockdown. 

We wish you, your friends and families all good health and hope that things will soon improve for everyone.

Kind regards

The Team at Tourettes Action

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