We know from our work across the country that the coronavirus crisis is hitting families hard – and the poorest families hardest of all.
For many of Britain’s poorest children, today will be another day trying to learn or play at home without toys or basic furniture such as a table or bed.
Another day of feeling hungry because there are no more school dinners guaranteeing one hot, healthy meal a day.
Another day away from the fun at nursery or the books at school.
And if you were already really struggling with money – like the parents of one in three of the nation’s kids – it’s another day of being worried sick that you can’t make ends meet.
Emergency Grants Programme
Save the Children is responding with an Emergency Grants Programme to help provide household items and help with bills to families in crisis.
We’ve focussed our emergency programme on what families themselves say are their priorities: making sure there are tables for children whose new ‘classroom’ would otherwise be the end of a bed, enough money to get food at the supermarket and the books and toys needed to make lockdown bearable.
In addition to relieving financial worries, we want to support learning at home and ensure that the poorest children don’t fall further behind.
Families are being referred to us by trusted professionals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as towns across England.
We have radically expanded the number of referral partners in each location so families will now be being referred to us from local councils, housing associations, foodbanks, domestic abuse services, faith groups and community organisations.
Each family receiving a grant will get four things.
- Firstly, an early learning pack (there are 24 to choose from, across 3 age groups and themed around everyday routines, age appropriate play and stimulating language skills).
- Secondly, a package of household items and supermarket vouchers tailored to their individual needs.
- Thirdly, a printed resource pack including information on talking to children about the virus, building everyday learning into family activities and how parents can be supported to cope.
- Finally, with thanks to our friends and Hasbro and LEGO, they will receive plasticine, board games and bricks, to ensure there is some love and fun in every pack.
We know that many of the poorest families who most need help are stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide so having printed materials makes a huge difference. We are making our resources available in all sorts of community settings but the demand is enormous and we can’t currently meet it.
While our teams are working around the clock to get emergency support to families in crisis, we are also asking the government to play their part with a #FamilyRescuePackage.
Whether it’s national government, local councils, neighbourhood groups or charities like Save the Children, we can all do our bit to help the poorest families get through this difficult time.
We know that better times are ahead.
We will get through this, together, and with your help we can minimise the damage done to the youngest lives.
Please consider donating today.
