Children and young people are being sent rainbow postcards to remind them they are not alone during the coronavirus lockdown and help is there if they need it.

Colourful postcards featuring the rainbows, which have been a symbol of hope for so many during the pandemic, have been designed by two of our young people in care, aged nine and 13 to be shared with children and young people.

The campaign urges children and young people to come forward if they needed help and encouraging the public to look out for Blackburn and Darwen’s children and to report any concerns.

It was launched after concerns were raised that lockdown restrictions meant families were spending more time behind closed doors and isolated from those who might normally support them if they were struggling to cope.

Using online video technology, a virtual meeting hosted by the Council’s Young People’s services team with young people taking part to help create the wording and design, including the borough’s Youth MP Zara Hayat and Deputy Youth MP Muhammed Bapu

Their designs include the poignant messages: “There’s hope at the end of the rainbow and keep looking up, there may be a rainbow waiting for you.”

Jayne Ivory, Director of Children’s Services, said:

We know that many families will be facing increased stress during the extraordinary conditions this lockdown has imposed upon us all.

With the gradual lifting of restrictions placed upon us all we know that those who were already struggling to cope with health issues, relationship problems and financial challenges before the Coronavirus outbreak will be finding it particularly tough.

The message we want to get across loud and clear is that children and young people and indeed families must not think they have to struggle alone, we’re all still here to help and people shouldn’t hesitate in coming forward to access the wide range of help and support on offer.

 

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

I’d like to thank our children and young people for putting so much hard work into this and to make it meaningful to those who may need our help and support.

We know that children and young people are normally seen by lots of different adults every day, like neighbours, grandparents and teachers. But due to coronavirus we’re self-isolating, social distancing and spending much more time at home. This means some children may be more at risk and some families might need extra support with parenting. If a child is sadly experiencing abuse, there aren’t as many opportunities for adults to spot the signs and help.

Huge efforts are being made to keep school places open for vulnerable children. It remains everyone’s responsibility to keep children safe, spot the signs of abuse and report concerns. We all need to play our part by checking in with families and reaching out for support and advice if we have any concerns.

 

Youth MP Zara Hayat said:

It’s really important, now more than ever that people know that there is help out there, we hope anyone who is struggling feels they can reach out for compassionate advice, help and support.

 

Millie, who helped to design the postcards, added:

I really hope that these postcards help children and teenagers who don’t have anywhere else to turn to. I hope it gives them a message of hope.

Families can contact the borough’s support line the Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) for a range of support including emotional wellbeing, practical and mental health support and more on

• The support and advice line is: 01254 666400 or at weekends ring: 01254 587547.

 

Spotting the signs of abuse

Social distancing, self-isolating and quarantine can cause stress and changes in everyone’s behaviour.

Families are under new pressures and you may worry a child is withdrawn, anxious or depressed. Spotting the signs of abuse might be more difficult and it can be difficult to know for certain if something is wrong.

But if you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact our helpline. Abuse is wrong and should always be reported.

Some of the signs you may spot include:

• aggressive or repeated shouting
• hearing hitting or things being broken
• children crying for long periods of time
• very young children left alone or are outdoors by themselves
• children looking dirty or not changing their clothes
• children being withdrawn or anxious.

These signs don’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused, there could be other things happening in their life which are affecting their behaviour, but by contacting us we can help assess the situation and provide the right help. If you know somebody is in immediate danger always dial 999.