“YOU ARE NOT ALONE!” covid-19 relief project
RJ4All, through its youth-led FRED campaign, is deliveing a Covid-19 relief project to support vulnerable young people suffering during the pandemic. Through high quality volunteering, we are delivering a range of online and remote social action.
FRED STEPS IN TO HELP DURING THE COVID-19 Pandemic
Over the last few weeks, our youth-led FRED campaign has received several emails and calls from young people who have developed new mental health issues or whose current ones have exacerbated due to COVID-19’s impact. These issues include: anxiety (e.g. unknown future, cancelled exams, taken out of employment), stress and fear seeing close friends and family getting ill, loneliness due to their isolation, bad health outcomes, depression as well as eating disorders).
Some have indicated really worrying levels of bad mental health that might lead to self-harming or a long term illness. While most require support in the form of advice, others are asking for Personal Protection Equipment or just food that they are not able to purchase due to lack of income or support from their family. A small majority are homeless, or are dealing with drug or other addiction issues.
We also know that the NHS and public services are currently overburdened and there are few resources to provide young people with specialist mental health support or immediate relief and food. It is likely that this situation will worsen.
Moreover, the economic affects of the social distancing policy impacts disproportionately on young people as they are overly represented in low income sectors which are worse affected, such as hospitality.
Well … you are not alone!
ABOUT FRED
FRED is a youth-led campaign, hosted by the Restorative Justice for All International Institute. We deliver social action projects and high quality youth volunteering opportunities. Our projects focus on promoting Fairness, Respect, Equality and Dignity (FRED).
We are delighted to recieve support from our wonderful sponsors, including the London Community Response Fund and Southwark Council’s Community Response, which we have pulled together along with in-kind resources to develop this project. We are running in the project in conjunction with our Mayflower 400 Youth Awards 2020. To get in touch email us at RJ4All Secretariat contact@rj4all.info
WE ARE PROVIDING…
Free food and PPE
We are giving free food and PPE to vulnerable young people and their families in Sothwark.
Covid-19 Helpline – 0333 332 4050
Our helpline is open 10am-10pm Monday to Sunday. Our team of young volunteers are here to speak with you about any concerns or difficulties you have and to offer mental health support and practical advice.
Online bank of free resources and activites
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to view these resources.
A secure chat room
Where you can share your concerns, thoughts and fears with others, build safe relationships and stop feeling lonely.
Online competitions and awards to celebrate the sailing of the Mayflower
Meet our Covid-19 Helpline Team
Thirza
In the current situation, many of us are likely to feel anxious or isaolted at times. Although it might feel easier in those moments to not speak, it can be the mos timportant time to connect. Even just to say what’s on your mind when you’re upset can be a relief. I’m volunteering for RJ4All’s helpline because I think it is more important than ever that we all listen to one another and talk. Alternatively, we can also signpost you to helpful orgnisations.
Rebecca
My name is Rebcca and I am volunteering at he RJ4ALL Covid-19 helpline. I decided to joing the helpline team as I wanted to use the free time that I have to help those who may be struggling during this time. This current situation has left many young people feeling anxious and I think that everyone should have someone they can trust to open up to.
Hannah
Desiree
Becasue of coronavirus, there are a lot of unknowns about the immediate and long term future. These sudden life changes and uncertanties affect people’s mental wellbeing. It is important for us to come together and support those who may be stuggling the most during this diffuclt time.
Josh
The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on all of our lives. This is especially true for vulnerable young people. I am coordinating this project to ensure that we reach out to those in need and offer valuable support during these difficult times.
Marta
These are unprecedented times and it is common to feel overwhelmed and isolated. Fortunately, technology allows us to stay connected and create communites while at home. I volunteered for the RJ4ALL Covid-19 project to support young people who may be struggling to access food and PPE, or who are feeling anxious about the future and need advice and ideas to keep themsleves occupied during the pandemic. Having a safe space to talk to other young people will help us all feel less isolated.
Free resources & Signposting
Children
Coronavirus: Chris and Xand have what you need to know
Chatterpack: Home learning resources list for families
The
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Boogie Beebies – get children dancing
NHS Change4life – Indoor activities for kids
This Girl Can – Disney Dance Alongs
Stay Active
#StayInWorkOut – Sport England
‘Our Parks’ programme – free streamed yoga, pilates, hiit and bootcamp classes every day
Move more – Tips to stay physically active
Fitness Blender – Workout videos for any fitness level
The Body Coach – Workouts for Children
GoNoodle – Physical Wellness for Kids
Create Development – real PE at home
Youth Sport Trust – resources to support home activity
London Sport – Active at home table
Healthy Futures – Sign Up to receive weekly food and exercise log
KidsRunFree – Videos of games and activities for families to stay fit
Lord’s Taverners – free online hub with cricket based activities
Gymrun youtube channel – videos to keep children active
Move Crew – missions for children to do sport daily
Support for Young People with Mental Health Difficulties
Obssesive Compulsive Disorder UK
BCAP
A list of helpful websites and apps for managing mental health
‘Troo’ – a new well being app for young people. Download it for Android or IOS.
Guide to adding online support to your young people’s and mental health wellbeing servic
Advice on Working from Home
Superhighways: Tips for remote working
John W Bailie: Dealing with conflict at work during the pandemic
My Whole Self: Supporting your mental health while working remotely
Health, wellbeing and working from home
GoToMeeting: Connect with anyone, anywhere, on any device
Family Activities
Tech Pixies: definitive guide to staying at home
with kids during the coronavirus crisis
Tate Kids – Make Art and Play Games
Free Entertainment
Southwark Council – Online events for free
Support with Finances and Daily Living
COVID-19 Financial support for Southwark residents
StepChange: Get free debt advice online
Tell Southwark Council if you no someone who needs help
More information from Southwark Council
Getting free food during in Lewisham
Free Wellbeing and Sanitary Box for Young Girls across London! Please email info@animayouth.co.uk
Turn2us – A national charity that provides financial support
Education in Isolation!
Twinkl: home learning and school closure packs made by teachers
Asdan: free resources for home learning
Resiliencevoyage – have designed some resilience worksheets to support young people this time.They are also running live sessions on facebook!
Art Aid – Activities for Prison learners during the coronavirus lockdown
EBSCO – Library free resources and tips
List of online education resources
Guidance to remote teaching and coaching
Big Creative Education – Free English and Maths courses for more info sabrei.ackah@bigcreative.education
You make it – Online empowerment programme
Leadership through sport and business – Digital Apprenticeships
Super Movers – Children learn while they move
Imoves – fun activities to learn and stay active
Coronavirus Advice for Young People
Support for children and young people to understand domestic violence
Body and Soul: Free weekly live streamed therapeutic sessions
Coronavirus & Wellbeing – practical advice for staying at home
Coronavirus advice for under 21s
Help Staying Connected Online
The Cares Family: Connection and community in a disconnected age
