Agenda item

Experiences of lock down and Covid-19 for Children and Young People

Minutes:

Leval Haughton-James, youth practitioner opened this part of the meeting by introducing Ikesha and Ryan to hear their experiences of lockdown.

 

Leval undertook a slide presentation to the committee outlining the practical and emotional support given by Speakerbox. The presentation included the following key points:

 

·  Group participation post and during Covid-19

·  Sessions included gym, meals, physical activities, cinema, theatre, work experience opportunities and networking

·  Since March 2020 group sessions have been provided by various online platforms (including Christmas and Easter)

·  54 young people have received EiD celebration cards

·  Christmas gifts for careleavers

·  20 young people received Easter gift hampers.

 

Group work activities to support young people during the Covid-19 pandemic included:

 

·  Zumba classes

·  Weekly check-ins

·  Exercising at home via zoom

·  Weekly newsletter and

·  Quiz nights plus much more.

 

Lessons learned – adapting to change

 

·  The transition from face to face activities to online sessions has been challenging

·  Decreased number of young people participating over the course of time (Zoom burnout)

·  Reducing social isolation by staying connected

·  Restrictions beyond Speakerbox’s control that limited accessing young people in prisons.

 

Key points raised by young people via Speakerbox:

 

·  Keen to plan activities and events to relieve stress

·  More professional support needed due to poor relationships with family for transition into independent with money management, more encouragement to save, budgeting advice. Help to develop shopping and cooking skills

·  Want to be consulted about housing options so their views and experiences could be captured.

 

Confirmed participation opportunities will continue in various forms (online, newsletters, group and face-to-face contact including also developing a newsletter to increase communication with young people in custody.

 

Forward plan for group work in place as follows:

 

·  Care leavers parents group, based in a children’s centre

·  Independent hub group for 21+

·  ‘My Yard’ – managing home, administration and managing within budget

·  Mindfulness

·  Pride and belonging

·  Cooking club

·  Unaccompanied young people’s drop in

·  Walk and running social group.

 

Ikesha and Ryan were able to provide an insight to their experiences/observation of lockdown highlighting the following issues:

 

·  Speakerbox represented a consistent presence and support for children and young people during lockdown

·  Common themes / experiences for children and young people in lockdown relating to employment/training, housing and mental wellbeing

·  The emotional impact of lockdown and other events at that time relating to Black Lives Matters and the killing of George Floyd. All these impacts were overwhelming and could compound/contribute to any unresolved trauma for young people

·  Housing issues and being confined to a small space at this time to live, work and relax and difficulties arising

·  Impact on the lack of one-to-one contact for young people and isolation from family and friends

·  Mental health implications

·  Leaving care support (housing, grants, emotional support). Housing can be difficult and reference to the invaluable support given by the children participation rights officer throughout this time on such matters

·  How accessed and utilised therapies including self-referral

·  Talking to young people and how important this has proved to gain information and knowledge on financial and practical matters they are facing.

 

In conclusion, to this presentation it was explained that many positive plans and events were planned for the future, including a summer barbeque and physical exercise (which was considered vital for mental health wellbeing).

 

Summary of discussion and points raised in response to this presentation by Leval, Ikesha and Ryan:

 

·  The committee expressed their thanks to Speakerbox and their support to children and young people

·  Transitioning to adulthood and what more can be done?  Leval responded and addressed issues relating to housing, bills, council tax, paye and managing money. Referenced contact with a former care leaver who needed some support but was unaware was able to still ask for help; advice and support will be offered if approached by a care leaver. Suggested that this be more widely advertised to young people/care leavers so that they are aware

·  Importance of information sharing amongst young people and received on a level they can understand and relate to

·  Ikesha raised the importance of checking if young people are okay. Focus needs to be on individual and holistic needs and checking up on daily care

·  Exploring opportunities for volunteering and other avenues, especially for those young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

·  Support for young people coming out of lockdown and extra support for those who have been custody (especially with regard to housing).  More help getting into work after being in custody

·  Suggested further work / letter be written in respect of the point made about young people coming out of custody and challenges faced with housing and other day to day issues

·  Secure estate – consideration to putting together an enhanced programme for resettlement with the multiple agencies. Worth exploring, what it needs to look like, beyond basic statutory provisions

·  Making a list of what it means to be in care and how this relates to university, housing allocation and semi-independent living and letting young people know the information that can be obtained

·  The chair expressed the need for a catch-up/piece of work between now and next meeting on Covid-19 and additional support for young people (including above bullet point).

 

The committee expressed their thanks for the amazing contribution of these young people and their presentations.