by Allison | Aug 5, 2020 | News
Today Home-Start UK with Best Beginnings and the Parent-Infant Foundation have released a new report that shows the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy, giving birth or being at home with a baby or toddler.
Almost 5,500 parents shared their experiences with us as part of the #BabiesInLockdown report released today. The impact has been huge – but we are calling for three things to make sure they have the support they need:
- A one-off BABY BOOST this means enabling local services to support families who have had a baby during or close to lockdown.
- A new PARENT INFANT PREMIUM which will provide new funding for local commissioners
- SIGNIFICANT AND SUSTAINED INVESTMENT to support families from conception to age two years and beyond, including statutory services, charities and community groups.
Join our call – share the report.
Read the report at
www.babiesinlockdown.info
by Allison | Jul 27, 2020 | News
Although we have not been able to offer families a weekly home visiting service for over 4 months, we have maintained contact by text, messenger and phone. At the end of April, the Co-ordinator offered the families a fortnightly delivery of craft and play activities most of the parents were delighted to accept. This enabled the Co-ordinator to see the parents and children face to face, have a brief chat from a safe distance and to discuss any concerns they had. This was funded initially by a donation and some of our small reserve fund until we had agreement from our funders to change the purpose of their grant. The parents and children look forward to the Co-ordinator’s visits and the craft. Each child over 2 years in the family gets a pack, they include stickers, a craft activity or small toy and for the older children word and number puzzles, dot to dot and more complicated craft, paper and crayons.
Once a month we have given the mothers a pamper pack of hand cream, a bath bomb or bubble bath and a face mask. We have also given families protective face coverings and anti-bac hand gel.
In May the Co-ordinator delivered 29 craft packs to 15 families fortnightly living in Sittingbourne, Minster and Sheerness. In June 33 craft packs were delivered to 19 families weekly. In July 36 craft packs were delivered to 21 families weekly. In July we came back to work in the office and have received new requests for support each week
35% of these families are lone parents, 50% have depression, 35% have a child or adult with health issues and 60% have low incomes. 20% are victims of domestic abuse now in a safe home away from the abuser. We are also supporting a young mum expecting her first baby in September. .
Family A. Mum is a lone parent with a severely autistic teenage child who has struggled to cope with the changes to their routine and has stayed in their bedroom for most of the day. Mum also has a 2 year old and a 1 year old with a physical disability that requires regular hospital checks. Mum has video links with her child’s consultant regularly. Mum cannot go out as the youngest child is shielded but also the eldest’s condition restricts where they could go as a family. The eldest child can become aggressive with Mum and frustrated with the younger children. Her family live 10 miles away so cannot offer much support. Each week Mum looks forward to the Co-ordinator visits and the craft pack. The 2-year-old has enjoyed the activity packs with mum. Mum has said they have something to focus on and enjoy together each week.
Family B. Mum has a 4 year old and twins of 9 months. Dad is a front-line worker on 12+ hour shifts. He is often tired and has very few days off. Mum takes the children out most days for a walk so that Dad can sleep without disturbance and it does give them some exercise and fresh air. The 4 year old looks forward to the craft packs as he can spend some 1 to 1 time with Mum when the babies are asleep and focus on an activity for him. He is missing his school friends and other family members who cannot visit. Mum struggles at times to give each child individual attention and as the babies grow, they have become more demanding, they are moving about so now need to be watched. As Dad is asleep or at work with just 1 day off each week, he is not able to give Mum much support. So, time for herself is limited to going shopping for food. Mum misses going to baby groups, meeting and talking to other mums and having adult time away from the home. The weekly craft packs make a big difference to the family and will continue until the child returns to school in September.
Family C. The family, mum and 3 children aged 6, 3 and 1 years were moved to their current home following a domestic abuse incident. They have no friends or family members nearby and did not have time to take many of their possessions from the family home. The local domestic abuse service has been able to provide essential equipment and some toys for the children. But Mum has found it difficult to keep the children occupied each day. The older child wanted to go to school, the 3 year old wanted mum’s attention and often fought with the older child, the youngest child has delayed development and needs more stimulation but Mum has struggled to find some time for this. The weekly packs give them each something to do on their own or with mum. All of the children love stickers, colouring and making the craft. We have also given them felt pens, crayons and paper each month. Mum talks to the Co-ordinator about her concerns, health issues and difficulties with her ex-partner.
Although they are in temporary accommodation the Co-ordinator suggested mum contact the local school to see if they would take the 6 year old as a vulnerable child and they agreed. Mum has also been given food vouchers from the school for lunches. Things are now easier in the home and mum is able to spend more time with the younger children.
by Allison | Jan 20, 2020 | News
Are you a parent or grandparent? Can you spare a 1-2 hours per week? Can you offer your valuable parenting experiences to local families in need? If yes, we would love to hear from you! For more information please contact the office to learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor.
