The following information is a ‘Smorgasbord’ of information from healthcare professionals that ranges from help for children with Additional Learning Needs to Coping with Financial issues due to COVID to Helping children cope with anxiety. Please investigate each link at your leisure:
‘Cambugs’
This is a free app that is available from the iTunes store and supports children to learn phonics and high-frequency words. Although aimed at 4-6-year-olds it also benefits older learners who need to develop the same skills and also easy for parents to use. There are films that you can watch and I have added the links below.
Cambugs Letter sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbltMVnEhWw
Peer tutoring with Cambugs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ih_uhrQIM
Cambugs phonics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLae3lJPXYY
The Swansea Educational Psychology Service
The Swansea Educational Psychology Service has put together some advice and guidance for parents and carers about how to support the wellbeing and learning of their children during the coronavirus outbreak. The advice is below:
Wellbeing support from Swansea Educational Psychology Service for families
Below is a link to Ideas from Positive Psychology to promote children’s wellbeing:
Strategies for promoting good mental health in children and young people. See link below:
Mental Health and Wellbeing Pack
Engaging with the reluctant child
A method of communicating with children (and young people) that enhances engagement and provides a language for them that they can understand and use. A video outlines a strategy for allowing a child to engage with therapy/counselling in a way that is less threatening for them. Also suggests ways of helping children name and manage difficult emotions.
Ollie & His Superpowers was created by Ali Knowles, who has her own private therapeutic practice in Cambridgeshire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-q-FiRXjBw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.ollieandhissuperpowers.com/
Support your mental health and well-being
This site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support your mental health and well-being. I hope that you find it helpful. https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/
CALM ZONE
There are lots of ways to feel calmer. It’s about finding what works for you. Try some of our breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/#activities
Family Lives Sleep advice for parents with disabled children
Western Power Distribution (priority service register)
That means anyone with an additional need or reliance on Electricity gets a proactive call in the event of a power cut . Give you a direct number to call in the event of a power cut so you can get straight through to us.
• Agree on a password with you before we visit, so you feel safe.
• Provide special help, if needed, through the British Red Cross.
• Inform you about planned interruptions to your electricity supply.
• Keep you as informed as possible in the event of an unplanned power cut.
You can apply to join the Priority Services Register online here:
https://www.westernpower.co.uk/customers-and-community/priority-services
Customers self-isolating, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, should contact them on 0800 6783 105 in the event of a power cut and tell them the situation, even if they are not on their Priority Services Register. They can also contact them via their website.
Help to get online during Coronavirus
Need help to get online? Request a callback and we can help you.
The Lifelong Learning team are here to help you or your friends and family get online. From beginners who need help to shop online or someone who wants to download an app to keep in touch with family, we can talk them through it. Fill out the form and one of us will be in touch, or ring us on 01792 637101 between 9.00am – 4.30pm on weekdays (closed on bank holidays).
https://www.swansea.gov.uk/getonline
Digital Communities Wales (DCW0 is supporting people who use technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital technology will be crucial in the coming months to help people stay connected, find reliable information, shop for necessities and stay healthy. DCW is here to support people to get online. Digital drop-in sessions Join us every Thursday for free Digital Communities Wales drop-in workshops where we are available to give virtual one-to-one or group lessons on using your apps or devices. Devices we cover include Android tablets or phone; Apple iPads and iPhones; Smart Devices such as Alexa; and requests for devices unique to your situation. Within these lessons, we are able to discuss and problem solve user issues with you and offer advice on making the most of accessibility software on your devices. Register here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/upIrd-yurDwqeZjX8HE740b7hqMBeGyQ8g
DCW webinars keeping occupied, finding reliable health information online, and shopping online. All of the sessions will be delivered separately in English and in Welsh. Find out more here:
https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/covid-19-webinar-programme/
Key Workers
Advice for parents who are Key workers and for the children of Key workers. See below:
Advice for keyworker parents – helping your child adapt
When your parent is a keyworker – advice for children and young people
ALN
Some children or young people with additional needs such as
learning disabilities or autism can find it difficult to identify or
verbally communicate how they are feeling during COVID 19. See below for advice:
Helping children with additional needs cope with difficult emotions FTC
For parents and carers of children with ALN see the link below for skills lessons to help with that transition:
Swansea Parent Carer Forum COVID-19 Information for Parent Carers:
A number of resources are being developed and redistributed during the current pandemic. Finding the right resource for the right individual can be overwhelming in itself. There is no doubt that having the security of familiar adults that can provide a predictable and safe environment will go some way in reassuring our children and young people. However, the following resources may also help you in managing the message and in finding ways of reducing the natural anxiety that may be experienced during this unprecedented period.
Resources for Children & Families
Children’s Commissioner – Information & Resources
Anna Freud – Supporting Young People’s Mental Health
STARS – A range of visual resources designed to aid autistic children and young people’s understanding of the Coronavirus.
Young Minds: Talking to your child about Coronavirus
Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic
Resources for parents of children with additional needs during the COVID 19 outbreak:
Coronavirus resources for children with additional needs
Covid 19 Wellbeing Service Directory for Swansea:
Covid-19 Directory Version 1 April 2020
Citizens Advice – Support if your Finance or Wellbeing have been affected by COVID 19:
Advice for KS 2 Children on strategies to cope with COVID, Lockdown and Remote learning:
SNAP Cymru – Early Help Leaflet:
Guidance – Our world is changing rapidly at the moment. Given some of the news coverage, it would be hard not to worry about what it all means for yourself, and for those you love. Worry and anxiety are common problems at the best of times, and when it takes over it can become all-encompassing. At Psychology Tools, we have put together this free guide to help you to manage your worry and anxiety in these uncertain times. Once you have read the information, feel free to try the exercises if you think they might be helpful to you. It’s natural to struggle when times are uncertain, so remember to offer care and compassion to yourself, and to those around you.
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Swansea Parent Carer Forum – Managing Sleep
https://mailchi.mp/cc89329246fe/sleep-workshop?e=e3ee39e490