Stacey Boyle writes a blog on adapting to the COVID 19

When lockdown hit we weren’t’ sure how we could do things, we knew there would be a lot of changes to what do. We know we have some amazing volunteers that really help families and all that work was done face to face. Keeping everyone safe was obviously the most important thing for everyone.  It was a worrying time.

We got on our thinking caps and we have adapted the way in which we work to enable us to continue to support families.  This meant working on new ways online using Zoom, which at the time I hadn’t even heard of, I don’t think many people were using it but it soon became an everyday thing that we use all the time.

As a service we are aware of the various challenges that families are facing during this difficult time and how now more than ever it is vital that there is support in place. We have continued to provide emotional support to families via zoom, Facebook and telephone support.  There has been some times of extra need for families and some obstacles to overcome so  we could help people access essentials such as food and medicine.   Here at Home-Start we have kept going  to match families with volunteers  over zoom.   This was a bit new and at first but so far its been a really positive experience for everyone as video calls have become a way of life now.  Nothing beats meeting face to face but these video calls have often been a lifeline.

As a service we are aware of the various challenges that families are facing during this difficult time and how now more than ever it is vital that there is support in place. We have continued to provide emotional support to families via zoom, Facebook and telephone support. There has been some times of extra need for families and some obstacles to overcome so we could help people access essentials such as food and medicine. Here at Home-Start we have kept going to match families with volunteers over zoom. This was a bit new and at first but so far its been a really positive experience for everyone as video calls have become a way of life now. Nothing beats meeting face to face but these video calls have often been a lifeline.

We are also having weekly team meeting over zoom and discussing the challenges and successes that we have experienced. There was even a quiz night where I was part of the staff team went up against the Home-Start Board, really pleased to say we won this highly competitive quiz.

This is an unprecedented, challenging and tough time for a lot of people, however as a service we are committed to supporting families and adapting the way in which we work to try and overcome these challenges.