Welcome to our page with information for Families and Children.

 

Dont forget to visit our childrens activities page. 

 

Keeping safe & well - resources for families

The internet is awash with tips and tricks to keep you and your loved ones safe and well during this time. In Sutton we are committed to helping the community keep updated and have taken some of the best resources and put them all in one place. If you need help with parenting, family relationships or routines, mental health or need inspiration for activities, cooking or exercise, here is the place to find it!

 

The Child Accident Trust has produced a great parent’s pack on keeping children safe during lockdown and beyond. Take a look here 

  

 

Advice for parents during coronavirus

Whilst coronavirus is infectious to children it is rarely serious. If your child is unwell it is likely to be a non-coronavirus illness, rather than coronavirus itself.

Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured. Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help

 

Click here to download the poster on the left 

 

 

 

 

Schooling 

Resources from Cognus to help prepare children returning to school

A story on going back to school after lockdown - download here

Transitioning autistic children back to school after COVID-19 - download here

Elsa Support have produced a good guide - download here 

 

Free Online resources for home-schooling

The Department for education has produced FREE online resources that parents, carers and schools can use to support children's education at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more

 

Explaining COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to your child

If you are struggling to explain coronavirus to your child, why not download and print out the Covibook or Davethedog book?

 

My Hero is you 

50 humanitarian organisations have come together to produce a children's storybook called My Hero is You to help children aged 6-11 cope with coronavirus. The book is available online and as an audiobook and is currently available in six languages. Find out more

 

 

 Take a look at this book illustrated by the artist who did the Gruffalo to help explain coronavirus to children. The book can be downloaded for free.

 

  

 

 

NSPCC Advice for Parents to Support Children

The NSPCC has created a new webpage with information and advice for parents or carers who are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about Coronavirus. The webpage includes information on: talking about feelings and worries; keeping in touch and balancing screen time; ways to create structure and routine; and helping to give children a sense of control.

Read the information and advice

The NSPCC has a web page which supports parents on How to talk about difficult topics. They have also put together a helpful guide to Positive Parenting which can be downloaded.

 

Support for Deaf Children

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) has published information for parents, carers and families and information for professionals to support deaf children and young people during the Coronavirus outbreak.

 

Conflict in the home

Conflict often arises in relationships but how we manage it can make all the difference. The Children’s Society has put together 8 tips for dealing with conflict.

 

If Domestic Abuse is a concern, go to notaloneinsutton.org.uk or call Transform on 020 8092 7569 (Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm) or email transformsutton@cranstoun.org.uk

 

 

Routines

With schools closed and parents working from home it might feel that the world has gone a bit topsy-turvy. Current events are outside of our control which can feel a bit scary at times but one way to add a sense of calm at home is to establish daily routines.

 

Homestart has helpfully provided a daily planner that can either be used electronically or downloaded to write on to help families find their “new normal”.

 

Another tip is for all home working parents to turn off devices at meal times and try to separate work time from time spent with your children. It might mean working slightly different hours (e.g. evenings or condensed hours) to free you up but it’s important to find a balance. It’s also important that the whole family find time to have some fun together to reduce stress. Don’t forget about opportunities to connect with family and friends via social media too, just because we are physically distancing ourselves doesn’t mean we need to stop contact with family and friends altogether. 

 

Mental Health

The Mental Health Foundation has put together a webpage that provides information on different ways to get help for your mental health and how to access this support. They have also put together some specific advice on how to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Any adults who need crisis support over the weekend please see the following UK helplines:

Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, anytime

Crisis text line: Text SHOUT to 85258

CALM (for men): Call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year

 

Sutton CAMHS continues to provide a service to young people and their families during this difficult time. They will only invite young people in for a face-to-face appointment when they think this is essential. All other contact will be made remotely. They continue to offer a crisis/duty line Mon- Fri 9am-5pm on 020 3513 3800 which young people or families can contact for advice and support if they have concerns. Outside of office hours the number to call is the mental health support line on 0800 028 8000.

 

The World Health Organisation has put together guidance on how to cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak:

It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family.

If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle - including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends.

Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor. Have a plan, where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.

Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as WHO website or, a local or state public health agency.

Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.

Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage previous life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.

 

Other sources of information and resources which might be helpful for families include:

 

Anna Freud – National Centre for Children and Families advice on Coronavirus

Anna Freud – Resources for Self-Care Activities

British Association for Counseling Psychotherapy (BACP) – Coping with anxiety

Carers UK – Coronavirus Guidance

Place 2Be Improving Children’s Mental Health - Coronavirus: Helpful information to answer questions from Children

Mental Health Foundation: Talking to you children about scary world news

Young Minds: Looking after your mental health whilst self-isolating

Mind: Coronavirus and your well-being

The Children’s Society: Coronavirus Advice and Support

Save the Children: Relaxation activities to do with children

Save the Children: 7 tips on how to talk to kids about coronavirus

University of Reading: Supporting children and young people with worries about Covid-19

Podcast with Dr John Goldin (Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist) on how to talk to children about coronavirus

Action for Happiness: Coping Calendars

 

Cooking

With food shortages in the supermarket there are lots of people posting creative recipes online.

Check out Jack Monroe’s website or @bootstrapcook

Jamie Oliver is doing a daily show on Channel 4 called Keep Cooking and Carry On. All the recipes can be found on his webpage

Claire Thomson also provided Sky News with her tips on what food to cook on a budget

 

Exercise

Every morning Joe Wicks is hosting a free 30 minute PE workout for children via his Youtube channel follow #PEwithJOE for more information

The ThisGirlCan campaign have also uploaded a number of home exercises that you can try from home

Dancing more your thing? Why not follow the free dance videos on Physique Dance Fitness

If you are already a member of a gym or fitness club (e.g. David Lloyd) a lot of these organisations are moving workouts online so you can stay fit from your own home.

NHS site that has links to various home exercise activities