Staff from Bolton Council’s Youth Service have gone the extra mile to ensure valuable support is provided to families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The play and youth team has continued to support some of the most vulnerable families and children despite lockdown restrictions.
The closure of all youth clubs during lockdown forced front line staff to remain at home. However, rather than temporarily closing the service, the team continued to provide support by creating online content and support sessions, keeping in contact with vulnerable families and delivering activity packs to the borough’s most vulnerable children.
Staff from the participation team have been particularly invested in promoting young people’s voices during lockdown. With the focus on mental well-being in relation to education, home life and loneliness, they have supported young people in presenting their concerns and potential solutions to education leaders, Public Health and other bodies.
Throughout the past 12 months, the service has supported around 1,000 children and young people.
In addition to their work with children and young people, staff from the service also helped in the wider community efforts during lockdown by assisting with food and pharmacy deliveries to residents, operating testing centres and working in care homes.
When lockdown restrictions were temporarily lifted last summer, the team worked tirelessly to ensure all youth clubs and sessions were Covid secure so children could be welcomed back safely.
Cllr Anne Galloway, Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “The coronavirus pandemic has proved a challenging time for families and young people.
“In supporting vulnerable families in particular, the team have shown great initiative and resolve in providing a range of activities and support in alternative ways to what is normally offered.
“I hope these schemes have been of benefit and helped ease the pressure on families during this difficult time.”