COVID-19 United Kingdom Project #48476

Support children suffering because of Covid-19

by Rotary Club of Hadleigh Castle Trust Fund

Project Report | Mar 1, 2021
Children and Covid-19 - A Real Difference

By Katharine Jones | Hadleigh Castle Rotary

A Message from Sue Bell, Clinical Director of Kids Inspire

“Thank you for your support towards Talk Together, a project we set up in response to the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on mental health. It has already supported 2,194 children, young people and families. In a year filled with uncertainty and disruption you will make a real difference to the lives of children and young people across Essex, so thank you once again for your generosity.”

What You Have Achieved

The original fundraising target has been achieved! In addition, the importance of this work has been recognized by GlobalGiving and we were lucky enough to receive a grant from the Covid Disaster Fund, for which we are truly grateful. Thank you to everyone who has donated to this vital project.

By November 2020 child mental health referrals had increased by over 200%. In 2021 the need for therapeutic services continues to rise. Funds raised by this campaign have enabled the Talk Together Project to provide treatment plans to children and young people who need enhanced therapeutic support to maximise and sustain positive emotional outcomes.

We have now decided to raise our fundraising target in order to help provide another 30 video-link sessions to help children whose mental health has been adversely affected by Covid-19. GlobalGiving’s Little x Little campaign starts on the 4^th of March and every donation under $50, or about £35, will benefit from a 50% bonus.

What Users Say

Parent: "Thank you. She always has a smile on her face when she finishes speaking with you. You've made a real difference in these difficult times."

Child: "Talking about my feelings doesn't feel scary anymore."

Young Person: "It's been so important to have someone outside of my family to talk to, who just gets it and doesn't judge me."

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Nov 24, 2020
Children and Covid 19 Report 1

By Katharine Jones | Hadleigh Castle Rotary

Support and Hope

The New Normal

During the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown many children were trapped in environments which intensified emotional and mental health issues, suffering bereavement, worry about relatives and fear of the future. Now schools have re-opened pupils have returned to a new normal. Early research suggests that for most young people mental health has worsened since returning to school, and as predicted mental health services have experienced a sharp increase in referrals since September, jumping from 20 to 52 per week.

Directly responding to feedback, Kids Inspire designed a support model where service users are offered bespoke face-to-face and/or remote support. Remote support through telephone or video links is particularly important as venues across Essex are closed or not admitting visitors. Service operating hours have also been extended to offer more evening sessions.

Case Studies

Susie is nine years old. She was having regular panic attacks, was refusing to eat as she feared that the food had germs and had an extreme fear of death and dying. The therapist has helped Susie to learn how to manage her anxious thoughts and is once again a happy care-free child.

Six year old Ben was referred to Kids Inspire with anxiety exacerbated by Covid-19, he also sometimes became aggressive towards his parents. Although the initial referral was for the child, the parents became the focus of the work and they were supported as they put new structures and boundaries in place, which resulted in improved behaviour in Ben.

Lilly, age 15, lost both grandmothers within 6 months of each other to Covid-19. Unable to process her grief she had constant pain and was unable to eat. All medical causes were ruled out and she saw a trauma therapist at Kids Inspire. After just the first session the symptoms lessened and she is now enjoying her recent return to school.

Giving Tuesday: Please support our appeal by donating on 1^st December for a share of $1M

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