Staff from St Helens Council’s Youth Service have been out and about in communities the past few weeks, distributing coronavirus ‘isolation survival kits’ to children and young people in the borough.
Around 60 kits have been delivered safely to the doorsteps of youths who engage with the service, with each package tailored to suit individual interests in a bid to keep spirits up while they stay at home.The kits also contain appropriate mobile apps, website links and phone numbers for other services that young people may require, as well as a note from their youth engagement officer who will be in regular contact by phone, email and – from a safe distance – in person to make sure they are safe and have everything they need.Meanwhile, the team has also been carrying out some detached youth work throughout the borough, speaking to young people they come across outside about the risks around COVID-19 and the importance of staying indoors –while referring them to some useful resources to keep them occupied at home.Councillor Sue Murphy, Cabinet Member for Developing Young People, said: “During these uncertain times, the simple and clear instruction for us to stay safe is to stay at home – which I can appreciate can be a boring for an outgoing young person who is used to socialising with friends – but nevertheless, is absolutely the right thing to do if we’re to help stop the spread of coronavirus.“The role our fantastic Youth Service is playing in all of this to ease the concerns and anxiety of our young people by supplying kits to help self-isolation that little easier is to be applauded and I thank them for their efforts which have been greatly received by our young people and their families.”Following a request from service users, St Helens Council Youth Service is looking to deliver board games for children and young people to play with their families during lockdown.If you are able to spare an old board game, please email youthservicebookings@sthelens.gov.uk and the Youth Service will arrange a collection.
