Young visitors to a St Helens Borough respite centre have created a video encouraging other youngsters to take care and not worry in the face of these unprecedented times.
Abbeyford Children’s Home has created a video showing children who use the facilities the changes that have taken place as a result of the pandemic such as new signage encouraging them to wash their hands.
The video features nine-year-old Finley, Jacob, aged 11 and Annabel, aged eight talking through the illness and explains the situation, encouraging other children not to worry.
Lee Cooper, a residential support worker at Abbeyford, said: “Social stories are used to explain something visually to people with autism. The COVID-19 situation has been stressful for everyone but has been particularly challenging for those with autism. Routines have been disrupted, schools closed, and children have not been able to see family members and friends. For some of our young people the reasons for this are very difficult to comprehend.
“At Abbeyford we wanted to make an informative but positive video. We hope this might help alleviate some of the anxieties the children who access our service may be feeling at this worrying time.
“Making this video has been a collaboration between staff and some of our young people. We have been so proud of their involvement. So a big thank you and well done to Finley, Jacob and Annabel.”
It’s just one of the ways the service is helping children they support cope with the changes to life. Cards have also been sent to the children who usually use the Dentons Green facility but cannot currently because they are among those on the shielding list.
Councillor Nova Charlton, Cabinet Member for Supporting Young People, said: “Finley, Jacob and Annabel have done an amazing job and it’s a testament to the staff at Abbeyford that they have been able to support the children to create their video explaining things in a really simple and reassuring way. Abbeyford is a fantastic facility that provides so much for the families they support and it’s clear the outstanding care they receive means that young people there feel they can create such a wonderful video.”
Watch Finley, Jacob and Annabel’s videos on St Helens Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages or visit https://youtu.be/XwU32vt2CR0
