Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership

LSCP

COVID-19 Information for Children & Young People

For some children and young people the news and media you may be reading and seeing can be very worrying and make you feel anxious. We would like to offer you some resources to help you to feel safe.

Online Safety

You may be spending more time online than usual. Take a look at our top tips to stay safe whilst online. Click HERE to go to our information and advice page.  ThinkUKnow have created a series of Online Safety Home Activity Packs, take a look HERE.

Your Emotional Wellbeing

It’s important we look after our feelings. Here are some tips to help you:-

  • Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Use technology safely to connect to friends and family.
  • Exercise and engage in physical activity in the home or in the garden if you have one.
  • Make time for learning by doing your school work and reading a book.
  • Get creative and make something. There are lots of tips and videos on how to make things on YouTube, such as 5-minute crafts, do colouring in, play games with your family members.
  • Give meditation a try? Breathing calming techniques is a great way to stay calm and it’s something you already know how to do! Have a look at the Headspace website
  • Limit reading negative news feeds. Start creating fun and interesting posts on our own social media.
  • Write a list of all the things you want to do once we return to our normal daily lives.
  • Lewisham Libraries have online books and magazines. You can join now if you’re not already a member. https://llc.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/lewisham/
  • Lewisham Youth First have links on their website for things to do, amongst other information and advice.
  • Lewisham Youth Theatre invite you to their digital performance and other activities.

If you find you are still worried and anxious, it’s good to talk to people who can help you, there are many places to get help and all of these are free to call or text, here are some of them:-

  • KOOTH:        1-1 Chats or Email
  • ChildLine:      0800 1111 or you can use 1-1 chats or email with a Counsellor.
  • Shout:           Text Shout to 85258 for a confidential free support at any time.
  • The Mix:        0808 808 4994, 11am to 11pm every day. Email via their website The Mix.

Are you worried about yours or a friend’s safety?

Support is still available for children and young people who may be suffering from harm whilst at home, you can call any of these numbers or talk to someone online.

  • KOOTH:    1-1 Chats or Email is an online counselling and well-being service for young people aged 11–19 years across Lewisham (and south-east London). Young people in Lewisham are able to access confidential and free, digital mental health support. Qualified counsellors are available on weekdays and weekends for booked or drop-in one-to-one therapy. Kooth is able to offer swift mental health support with no waiting lists, no cost and complete anonymity for children and young people. Monday to Friday:  12pm – 10pm; Saturday & Sunday:     6pm – 10pm.
  • ChildLine: telephone 0800 1111 or you can use 1-1 chats or email
  • Lewisham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: 020 8314 6660 to speak to a social worker
  • If you are in immediate risk of harm call the Metropolitan Police on 999

Our full information and advice page can be viewed if you Click HERE

Education

GOV.UK - List of Home Education Resources during COVID-19.  (currently free and not intended to replace a schools properly planned curriculum)

Here is a list of other organisations offering information and advice for children and young people about COVID-19:

  • Children's Commissioner - Children's Guide to Corona Virus
  • Frank Online - FRANK is a national anti-drug advisory service to educate teenagers and adolescents about the effects of drugs. Live chat service operates from 2pm - 6pm, 7 days a week. 0300 123 6600, frank@talktofrank.com
  • Lewisham foodbank - info@lewisham.foodbank.org.uk 07938 071854
  • National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff:
  • Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus:
  • 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:
  • Shout is a 24 hour, 7 days a week text messaging service support in a crisis. The team of trained Crisis Volunteers will help take you from a crisis to calm 24/7, whenever you need them. Text Shout to 85258, info@giveusashout.org,
  • The Anna Freud Centre has put together a document Supporting schools & colleges: A guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption which we hope will give some guidance about how to maintain children’s wellbeing at a time of uncertainty. They have a video which you might find useful.
  • Blogs on the Young Minds website for young people on managing anxiety about the outbreak and self-isolating:
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