We recognise no one has been in exactly the same boat, we are all having to adapt to new rhythms. Here at B@titude, we spent the last few months trying to balance offering practical and emotional support to those that need it with resting ourselves. Some weeks it’s worked and others it hasn’t!
Here is a update about what we got up to during lockdown;
‘Distraction Packs’
We recognised lockdown was particularly hard for families struggling in flats with no gardens. Thanks to a grant from Clarion Housing, we were able to deliver ‘distraction packs’ for children to 37 families in Leatherhead. These packs consisted of sports and play equipment, craft activities and books. In one block of flats, we laid the packs out on the grass and excited families came out one by one to collect. One mum said “I’m actually in tears, such a lovely thing to come home to especially as I wasn’t looking forward to being here indoors. My 4 year old’s reaction was priceless. I am a lone parent with two children and no car. This has made me feel that none of us are really alone if we support each other”
Another commented, “Thank you so much for the play stuff, the children are so pleased and are playing happily together. Thank you for doing such a lovely thing to help keep the children entertained.”
And our favourite comment was from a happy two year old who said “Mummy, mummy! The postman has brought us a prize!!”
Home Cooked Meals
We have been adopted as one of the chosen charities by the American Women Of Surrey and one of their members, Eleanor, has a home catering business which has been very busy over recent weeks. The service offers a pay it forward scheme and we have received between 30-36 meals delivered to us weekly which we have been able to distribute to those in need, families struggling, the vulnerable or NHS staff. This initiative has been so well received as the meals are fantastic. A huge thank you to Eleanor and those who have paid it forward.
Comments from those receiving the meals include:
“Best cottage pie ever! ”
“So nice to see all the children sitting down at the table and eating it all”
“It’s wonderful to come back to this after a long shift and not to have to cook”
“This was so helpful thank you”
Facebook Competitions
We ran a few creative competitions for the children to show off their artistic skills. From pictures and paintings to junk modelling creations, it was great to see the children’s accomplishments and deciding on the winners has definitely been tricky. Prizes included new toys, puzzles and Lego as well as vouchers.
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Community Fridge and Food bank
We have partnered with the Community Fridge and have helped the team at the Leatherhead Youth Project pack up bags and deliver them to individuals and families who need some extra support at this time. We know around 70 bags were being delivered weekly. A lot of supermarkets have offered surplus food to the Community Fridge which has been great. It’s especially lovely to deliver bags of fresh fruit and vegetables.
We have also been able to distribute food bank vouches over the phone and people are applying on line which is another great support for the community.
Emotional Support
We recognise the importance of our relational support continuing as it is just as significant (sometimes more so) than the practical support. The phone calls, messages and emails take time but we do know this is valued and can make a difference to someones day.
The counselling is operating on a reduced basis via weekly phone appointments. We hope to be able to offer counselling in this way until face to face appointments can resume again.
We’re thankful to be up and running again in B@titude and we hope the The Hive will open again soon.
Thank you for all your support during this time.
B@titude Team