CHANGE Bulletin 14 May 2020

CHANGE News

Covid-19: Implications for Families in the CHANGE Area

Since the lockdown restrictions were put in place in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the CHANGE team has kept in regular contact with community partners in the project area to offer support. The team has also continued to facilitate CHANGE Hub meetings, offering partners the opportunity to stay in touch and access an established support network. Many of our partners have continued to deliver services which have had to be adapted due to the changing circumstances. Our communications with these services has given us an insight into some of the implications and concerns for local families, as well as the opportunity to reflect on what has been set up in response. We have collated this and summarised it here.

CHANGE Hub

Over recent weeks, the CHANGE team has continued to be in regular contact with CHANGE Hub partners, many of whom have had to adjust their regular way of working in response to Covid-19 and the lockdown measures that have been implemented. At a time of uncertainty, isolation and stress for local families and staff, membership of the CHANGE Hub has taken on added value. It has offered local partners with shared interests the opportunity to share their local experiences, concerns and solutions. As we practice social distancing, communication has become even more important. As well as offering the opportunity to communicate what is happening in the community, the CHANGE Hub is a support network that offers organisations and practitioners an empathetic ear and valuable advice.

On Tuesday 28 April the CHANGE Hub held its first online meeting, and the next CHANGE Hub meeting will be a conference call taking place on 18 May. For more information please contact Alison at ahay@childreninscotland.org.uk.

Childcare

Like many communities across the world, childcare is currently facing unprecedented challenges in the CHANGE project area. Due to lockdown restrictions that include school and nursery closures and parents and carers working from home or being furloughed, demand for childcare places has significantly reduced. Whilst some Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services and schools are operating as Community Hubs, others are temporarily closed. Some services, such as Out of School Care (OSC) providers have reduced their service or closed until schools reopen. Many childcare providers are currently planning the safest way for their services to resume post lockdown. CHANGE has been regularly engaging with childcare partners by offering support, information and facilitating communication between local providers via the CHANGE Hub.

Helpful Links for Parents and Carers

Learning at Home

Education Scotland has published new resources to support parents and carers with providing learning at home. These include a range of ideas and suggestions for a variety of age groups. Each week, new activities will be added to their website, which can be accessed here.

Wellbeing

At this time, it is also really important to look after our mental wellbeing. We are all experiencing limitations to our daily lives and some people may be working from home as well as looking after and home-schooling children. To help ease the pressure, Parent Club has published mental health advice for parents and carers and their children during lockdown.

Online Events

Children in Scotland Webinar Guide

Children in Scotland has published a new webinar guide for Summer 2020. Lots of online learning opportunities are available, which you can find out more about here.

Child Protection Training

Everyone’s Children, part of Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS), is now delivering its ‘Introduction to Child Protection’ training online. The first session takes place on 28 May from 2-4pm. You can register for free here.

Emergency Food Provision: Dignity During Covid

Nourish Scotland and the Poverty Truth Community are offering free online workshops for organisations delivering emergency food provision during this difficult time for communities. Sessions will offer participants the opportunity to reflect on their work, gain practical tips and share understandings of how dignity can be put into practice during this crisis. You can find out more and sign up here.

The CHANGE team would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who is continuing to do essential work in the local area. We’d also like to say well done to everyone staying at home too, we know how difficult a time this can be. We are here for anyone needing support or a chat, whether you are delivering a service in the community or are someone who lives locally.

You can contact Alison on 07472 066448 or at ahay@childreninscotland.org.uk and contact Robert on 07414 610096 or at rdoyle@childreninscotland.org.uk.