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Author: Admin1

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Charity gives free computers to local children in need




Good quality education is a right for all children, regardless of economic circumstances. 51% of low income families or those on benefits have no access to the internet or digital devices, research by the Office for National Statistics has shown.

The impact of coronavirus on education, learning and wellbeing on children and families has been significant. Children living in poverty are already significantly disadvantaged compared to their wealthier peers. Of those who have been eligible for free school meals, or who have been in care or adopted from care, only 25% achieved grades 9-5 in GCSE English and Maths in 2019, compared with 50% of all other pupils.

Local charity, Youth Action, in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation are providing 300 free computers to local children in need across Lancashire. The free desktop computers consist of a Raspberry Pi computer, 21.5” monitor as well as all the required software.

Chief Executive of Youth Action, Amar Abbas said “we have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to provide the support to families in need from the basic life essentials to a helpline to support children and parents with their wellbeing. We are proud of our partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to bring brand new computers to those in most need.”

The initiative, Family Connect, is being led by local charity Youth Action based at Unity House on Preston New Road. Youth Action, an award-winning charity, has been supporting children and families for over 19 years and supports children and families to provide a range of support services.

Olympia Brown, Head of Youth Partnerships at the Raspberry Pi Foundation said “We are delighted to provide computers to the young people that Youth Action works with, thanks to the generosity of our funder, the Bloomfield Trust. We hope that the families find the computers useful to stay connected to school and to loved ones during this difficult time.”

Further information about this initiative please email Youth Action on hello@youthaction.org.uk or call them on 01254 695847.

Homeless

Free creative boxes for local children in need

Local children from Blackburn and Darwen are being provided a free box of creative materials and stationary to continue their home learning during the current lockdown thanks to local charity, Youth Action.

The initiative, The Creative Box, is being led by local charity Youth Action based at Unity House on Preston New Road. Youth Action, an award-winning charity, has been supporting children and families for over 19 years, has worked with a range of local organisations to make it happen.

Chairman of Youth Action, Suhail Ainarkar said “we are proud to lead this important initiative for local children in need, as evidence points to the fact that local children from low income families are suffering from an adverse impact on their education, due to the lack of learning materials. Our Creative Boxes are full of new and quality stationary and arts materials to help families at this time of need”.

Over 150 boxes have been distributed so far, with over 200 children on the waiting list. Kindly supported by Westholme School, Crosshill School, Taheedul Boys School, HPA Solicitors, SDP Media as well as The Cardboard Box Company.

Peter Ashworth, Chief Executive of Cidari Multi Academy Trust said “As the Cidari Trust and through St Silas Primary Academy we are delighted that we have been able to work in collaboration with Youth Action and the community to provide art and craft materials to children and families in the local area. We intend to support, through this project, to provide families with the materials to enjoy creative activities and art in this challenging time.”

If you would like to donate new stationary to this initiative please email Youth Action on hello@youthaction.org.uk or call them on 01254 695847.

Education, Food & health

Charity connects grandparents with their families with free tablets

The impact of Coronavirus on mental wellbeing is immense not only on young people but their grandparents and the wider family too.  Often the over 75s are in the most vulnerable group and most have been self isolating for over eight weeks with almost no family visits.

Local charity, Youth Action, is in partnership with the Home Instead Bring Joy Foundation and FaceBook are providing free Facebook Portal Tablets to local grandparents in the Blackburn area.  The idea is that with this tablet they are able to connect with their wider families, especially grandchildren thus reducing isolation.

The initiative, Family Connect, is being led by local charity Youth Action based at Unity House on Preston New Road. Youth Action, an award-winning charity, has been supporting children and families for over 19 years and supports children and families to provide a range of support services.

Chairman of Youth Action, Suhail Ainarkar said “reducing isolation and improving mental wellbeing is one of the key priorities of our charity. We recognise the importance of grandparents in the family, and thanks to our partnership with the Bring Joy Foundation and FaceBook, we are proud to be able to provide these free devices. During this pandemic, everyone needs to play their part in looking after not just themselves but others around them.”

Penny Hamer, Executive Director of the Bring Joy Foundation said “We are delighted we have been able to work with Youth Action to support local families at this time in order to help them stay connected. The Home Instead Bring Joy Foundation aims to reduce feelings of loneliness and keep people connected at a time when being physically near to a loved one is difficult. It is a pleasure to keep families connected through the use of the portal device.”

Further information about this initiative please email Youth Action on hello@youthaction.org.uk or call them on 01254 695847.