We know this is a trying time for everyone, so we put together some free resources for all ages.
If there are any you’d like to see added to the list, or you’re running an online event yourself you’d like to share, email us at hello@greatermanchesterdoulas.com.
Family activities
A collection of fun songs, complete with backing tracks
Mindfulness flashcards for kids
List of education companies offering free subscriptions
Colouring with local graffiti artist’s designs
Anxiety/mental health/loneliness
How to reduce high anxiety now
WHO guidance to support mental health during this time
MIND: coronavirus and your wellbeing
9 ways to stay positive during this period
Blog from Anna Mathur, Psychotherapist – dealing with Coronavirus anxiety
Sensory stuck at home – support group on Facebook for adults
Telephone befriending service for the elderly
Living life to the full – Free online course to change your life for the better
Autistic Health and Wellbeing – a space for autistic people to share things they have found helpful and healing
Self help resources for those with mental health conditions
Bereavement counselling
Virtual tours
Museums and art galleries
12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours
Google Art and Culture: Top 10 Museums you Can Explore
Explore London’s top museums at home
Explore London’s top art galleries at home
Landmarks and famous places
Landmarks in foreign countries, etc
Space
Live webcams from around the world
Online learning
Open Culture – 1,500 courses from top unis
190 universities just launched 600 free online courses
University of Alabama – archaeology and Egyptology
Languages
Open Culture – learn 48 languages
Learn 10 useful things to say in…
A range of short, free online courses
Cambridge University Press – 700 free textbooks in HTML
Royal institute – lectures presenting science in an entertaining manner.
Periodic videos – Science-related YouTube videos
Infobase databases and video streaming collections – Username: JCS_Distance and Password: learning to access:
iDEA – An international programme that helps you develop/demonstrate your digital, enterprise and employability skills for free
U3A – Online courses for mature students
Blocky games – Games to help beginners learn computer programming skills
Scratch – Beginners computer programming games/projects
T.K.S.S.T – Smart videos for curious minds of all ages
Geography and nature
Project Noah – view and share wildlife
Seterra – world geography, online quizzes
Online film festival – resistance in the rainforest
Kent Wildlife association – simple ideas to help wildlife in the garden
The relationship between humans and animals – podcast
Music
Check the location/time zones of live-streamed concerts to calculate the UK start time. Time Zone calculator
Concerts online – list of live streaming concerts
Free classical orchestras – live streams
Free chamber music – live streams
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – live streams and 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
Black history – the black British experience
J P Brewer– classic paintings
Walter’s Museum– past, present, and future exhibits
Rob Biddulph – draw-along videos via Twitter here
Google Arts and culture – Learn something new every day!
British Museum – videos
BBC Radio 4 – world history podcasts
50 things that made modern economy – Podcasts
Literature
Audible – temporarily free, in 6 languages
Gutenburg – Download free books, e.g. Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Frankenstein, etc.
Listening books.org – for people with conditions that impact the ability to read or hold a book
Solomon Kingsnorth – classic books in PDF, Word and audiobook
Read Free Literature – also includes study guides
50,000 free ebooks – arranged by genre
Miscellaneous and entertainment
Expeditions App – VR augmentation app for all ages, for virtual trips around the world
Wind in The Willows – West End performance
Open culture – 1,150 Free movies to watch online
Dance Physique – dance fitness videos
Tai-Chi – the moves and the method
DIY and crafts – 25 foods you can re-grow at home from food scraps
UK parliament – politics, history, citizenship, etc for children and young people
Historical association – 20th century history
James Dyson foundation – challenge cards
Roll20 – build your own game or play with others