We are living in times of uncertainty and massive change with the current health pandemic, so we have compiled some helpful information, resources and tips which may help during this time.
Winstons Wish
Winstons Wish offer support with bereavement, and have specific information, advice and guidance in relation to COVID-19. Information and resources can be found on their COVID-19 page here.
Newbury Baptist Church
Newbury Baptist Church has an illustrated story for children to help them understand the loss of a loved one. You can access the story by visiting their site here.
A non-exhaustive list that might help home education as a result of school closures due to coronavirus, compiled by home educators.
Chatterpack
chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/resources-list-for-home-learning
A website which has very comprehensive list of resources for all ages
Hungry Little Minds
hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/#0
A website for parents with ideas of how to stimulate your child from birth to 5 years
ABCYA
Online games for maths and English, mainly for EYFS and KS1
ICT games
Choose from maths and English games for child’s age group. See home learning games for Years 1,2 and 3+ for suggested games.
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.
BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated and yet there’s so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.
Futurelearn
https://www.futurelearn.com
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
Blockly
https://blockly.games
Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.
Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com
All sorts of engaging educational videos useful for both primary and secondary ages.
National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids
Mystery Science
https://mysteryscience.com
Free science lessons
The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos
Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
You Tube videos on many subjects for a younger audience
Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.
Prodigy Maths
https://www.prodigygame.com
Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.
Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.
Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetect…/
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!
Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for Primary age
Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming!
Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.
The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good, free art activities
Red Ted Art
https://www.redtedart.com
Easy arts and crafts for little ones
The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.
Toy Theater
https://toytheater.com/
Educational online games
DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/…
Activities and quizzes
Twinkl
https://www.twinkl.co.uk
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering a month of free access to parents in the event of school closures.
Hello Giggles
https://hellogiggles.com/news/museums-with-virtual-tours/
Virtual tours of museums and art exhibitions from all around the world
Chester Zoo
Online videos virtual tours of the zoo and animals
Vooks
Free online books
Scholastic
Free learning resource for children with 20 days of articles, stories, videos and fun learning challenges.
http://www.scholastic.com/learnathome
The Maths Factor
Usually a paid resource, but free to use now until schools re-open
https://www.themathsfactor.com/
Children’s learning/education
Purple Mash is doing free logins for a month https://www.purplemash.com/login/
BBC Bitesize
Keep your child’s learning going with BBC bite size activities https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Children and young people and their families who are experiencing abuse may be affected by the impact of COVID19. Self-isolation will impact on the accessibility of local support services and could increase the risk of harm in the home.
Making people aware that national helplines are still in operation and that children can access these, is very important.
ChildLine is a free, private and confidential service where children and young people can talk about anything. Help is available by telephone on 0800 1111 or online at: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline
In cases of domestic abuse, organisations should seek to support the nonabusing parent as best they can in order to keep children safe.
The Hide Out (an online space created by Women’s Aid), helps children and young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take action if it’s happening to them. https://thehideout.org.uk
Those experiencing an abusive relationship, and friends, relatives and professionals supporting anyone in these circumstances, can download the Bright Sky app to Android and Apple mobile phones. It provides information on support and includes a journal which can safely store incidents of abuse recorded. The app is available in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Polish https://www.hestia.org/brightsky
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7 on 0800 027 1234. Webchat is available at www.sdafmh.org.uk and support can be accessed via email at helpline@sdafmh.org.uk. For advice, professionals can call Scottish Women’s Aid on 0131 226 6606, https://womensaid.scot/
The Haven is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton, supporting women and dependant children who are vulnerable to domestic abuse, homelessness and abuse. Details on support during COVID-19 are provided on their website: https://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/
Useful Contacts
Black Country Foodbank: 01384 671 250
Information for families: 0121 569 4914 (Sandwell) 01902 554242 (Wolverhampton)
Drug and Alcohol information: 0121 553 133 (Sandwell) 0300 200 2400 (Wolverhampton)
Domestic Violence: 0121 553 0090 (Sandwell) 01902 904677 (Wolverhampton)
Adult Social Care: 0121 569 5789 (Sandwell) 01902 551199 (Wolverhampton)
Age UK: 0800 169 6565
Mind: 0300 1233 393
Samaritans: 116 123
If you are a parent struggling with your mental health and don’t feel that you can keep yourself safe, you can contact a local Mental Health Crisis Team: 0121 543 4100 (Sandwell), 01902 444141 (Wolverhampton)
It's important to take care of yourself and get the most from life. The Mental Health Foundation have published 10 practical ways to help look after mental health. You can view this article by clicking on this link: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-mental-health
The British Dyslexia Association has a free webinar for parents to view. The webinar focuses on managing anxiety for parents and their children. You can register to view the webinar here https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/4646118730518821645
There are free mindfulness resources available from Breathworks and Oxford Mindfulness which can be accessed here: https://www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk/news/a-message-from-vidyamala-covid-19-free-course-for-troubling-times https://oxfordmindfulness.org/online-sessions-podcasts/
MoodMaster has created free resources for parents in relation to lockdown and COVID-19. Free resources include ‘Maintaining your wellbeing during self isolation’ https://www.moodmaster.co.uk/img/maintaining-your-wellbeing-during-self-isolation.pdf?version=7
The full range of free MoodMaster resources can be accessed here: https://www.moodmaster.co.uk/open-resources.html
The Contented Child have a number of webinars available for families, covering a range of topics including autism spectrum awareness, social, emotional and mental health, resilience and wellbeing, emotional regulation, ADHD, dyslexia, challenging behaviour, ODD, sleep and preparing your child for school. These webinars can be accessed them through their website here: https://thecontentedchild.co.uk/webinars/
National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff. https://www.autism.org.uk/services/nas-schools/vanguard/news/2020/march/coronavirus-(covid-19)-advice.aspx
Mencap – Easy Read guide to Coronavirus:https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Information%20about%20Coronavirus%20ER%20SS2.pdf
Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing:https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children/
Young Minds – Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
Carers UK – Guidance for carers: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19
Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic: https://www.mindheart.co/descargables
Amaze – information pack for parents https://amazesussex.org.uk/faqs-about-the-coronavirus-for-parent-carers-of-children-with-send-brighton-hove/
Public Health England have produced an easy read version of their Advice on the coronavirus for places of education. You can download it here.