Horizons, the School Partnership and Enrichment Team bulletin providing you with a useful summary of information about a wide range of free and low-cost resources and opportunities available to schools and their families in and around Ealing.
Basic Needs Support
Below is a summary of support services to help families and staff to meet basic life needs at this challenging time.
Food and Supplies
The Felix Project – Already delivering surplus food to many schools in Ealing, Felix will continue to deliver free food if your school has the capacity to pass this on to those that need it. Contact Anne for more information: here.
Chefs in Schools No child should go hungry during the COVID-19 crisis. We’re providing free school meals to eligible pupils who are now at home and we’re helping schools feed the children of key workers. If you’re a school that needs help or could act as a kitchen hub, a chef who can volunteer or a group that can deliver, please fill in the relevant form at this link.
Ealing Foodbank is now operating differently than before. they are open for food distribution at St Mellitus Church Hall, Church Road, W7 3BA to referred clients between 10:00-12:00 Mon. Tues. (not weds). Thurs. Fri. Sat. closed Sunday. They are open for deliveries & donations every Wednesday 10:00-16:00.
Ealing Baby Bank is delivering emergency parcels to families at this time. To request support please email, or call us on 02088400348. The Baby Bank is for children aged between 0 – 24 months. There is a referral process in place, but families can self-refer too.
Ealing Mutual Aid Group aims to help those who may be quarantined due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To request support, please click on the following link.
Ealing Together Ealing Together is all about bringing people together to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic in whatever way they can. We want to make sure that everyone who is in difficulty feels comfortable asking for help, regardless of whether their vulnerability is physical, emotional or mental. To request help, please refer residents using the online form or by calling the advice line on 020 8825 7170.
Home Environment
Families needing furniture and household equipment to help make being at home more suitable may find the following useful.
Getting the most vulnerable online during the COVID-19 crisis
FutureDotNow is coordinating industry action through a new initiative, DevicesDotNow, targeting the 1.7 million households who don’t have access to the internet and are digitally excluded as we face a socially distanced world gripped by COVID-19. The DevicesDotNow campaign is asking businesses to donate tablets, smartphones and laptops, as well as connectivity in the form of sims, dongles and mobile hotspots. Centres who are interested in getting devices are being asked to fill in this form – note we don’t have any devices or money donated yet, so the form is to register your interest.
Children In Need Emergency Essentials Applications must be completed by a registered referrer who is part of an organisation that is supporting the family or young person and capable of assessing their needs. The referrer’s organisation should also be able to administer and supervise the grant on our behalf. The Emergency Essentials Programme is currently operating as normal and we aim to process applications within 10 working days.
Who is eligible?
- Vulnerable children and young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing a crisis or emergency.
- UK or EU citizens who are normally resident in the UK.
- They can only accept one application per household within a 12-month period.
(Discretion may be given where a child or young person, or their family, have an asylum application under assessment or in circumstances where residency criteria are not consistent across the family unit).
We can deliver or fund critical items such as:
- Electric cookers
- Furniture
- Kitchen equipment and small appliances
- Children’s beds and bedding (including cots)
- Washing machines and tumble dryers
- Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers
- Baby equipment
- Clothing
Support for families with disabled children Applications for a Family Fund grant must be made by the parent or carer of the disabled child or young person, but you can support them to complete the application. They help families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under. Please head to the website for eligibility criteria. The Family Fund will look at any grant request that relates to the needs of your disabled or seriously ill child, young person and your family. Full details are on their website.
Percy Bilton Charity Assistance is given to organisations and individuals in need throughout the U.K. Charities assisting disadvantaged youth, people with disabilities, people with mental health problems and older people may apply for grants towards furnishings and equipment (excluding office items), building or refurbishment projects. Applications must be made by Social Workers, OT’s and CPNs by telephone or in writing. Email: here. Telephone: 020 8579 2829
Health and Wellbeing
The Public Health Agency has suggested the following 5 steps are useful in supporting mental health and wellbeing whilst in the home.
- Stay Connected
- Be Active
- Take Notice
- Keep Learning
- Give
Click this website for access to the PDFs of the Take 5 campaign in English, Somali, Polish, Arabic and more.
Sport England #StayinWorkout contains links to lots of free online workouts and ideas for getting fit at home.
Every Mind Matters: Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Samaritans is a free, volunteer-led service are available by phone and email 24 hours a day. Call 116 123 or email here.
Good Thinking aims to improve the mental wellbeing of Londoners. This website includes useful self-help ideas and link apps to download to your phone that may support you at this time.
If you do need immediate support for your mental health, please call 24-hour West London NHS Crisis Line on 0300 1234 244. For physical health needs, the NHS Website provides a wealth of information and advice. If families need help now, but it’s not an emergency Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Security and Safety
Below are links to Social Welfare Training information which gives an overview of the different strands of financial support at this time. The information is a professional overview and families should check suitability.
Social Welfare Training COVID-19 Coronavirus Briefing 1 At a Glance Guide To Benefit Changes
Social Welfare Training COVID-19 Coronavirus Briefing 2 Loss of Income
Ealing Local Welfare Assistance Local welfare assistance is an emergency financial payment. The fund is there to help people facing an immediate financial crisis. Click here to apply.
Support for families at risk of Domestic Abuse This websites contains useful information to support families that continue to be available during this time.
Fire Safety with families spending most of their time in the home, this website contains useful reminders and recommendations to inspect your home for anything that could cause a fire.
NSPCC This website offers a range of support and advice on how to keep children safe including children’s mental health, safety in the home and online.
Online Safety Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online.