Listen now

This is an update from the Bury Children’s Trust, which brings together partners from a wide range of agencies, with a shared commitment to helping children and young people be the best that they can; in particular those, who for many different reasons face more barriers than their peers.

As you’ll see, there’s lots going on!

Summer reading challenge

Children, aged 4 to 11, are invited to take part in this year’s online Summer Reading Challenge. This is the biggest children’s ‘reading for pleasure’ programme in the UK.  It’s delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries, publishers and schools.   This year’s challenge, ‘the Silly Squad’, celebrates funny books, happiness and laughter. It runs from June to September.  There are lot of silly activities, quizzes, videos and games to keep children entertained at home.  Click on the link to the Reading Agency to find out more and to sign up to the challenge, and keep an eye on the Reading Agency Facebook page throughout the summer.

Books of all kind can be borrowed online from Bury Libraries through their BorrowBox service. If you are not already a member of the library, you can join online, free of charge, by visiting www.bury.gov.uk/libraries    

Cyber-crime

There will be a Children’s Trust lunchtime learning webinar on Cyber-Crime on 30 June from 12 pm to 12.45 pm.  This session will focus on the risks of children and young people being drawn into cyber-crime, why some are more vulnerable, how to prevent this and how to support them to use their computer skills in a positive way.  You will get an understanding of cyber-crime, the dark web and how to protect yourself online.  This is particularly relevant at the moment when most people are spending more time online. You will also hear how Covid-19 has impacted on online offending.  The presentation will be by DC Claire Leonard, GMP Cyber Crime Prevention Officer.  Please e-mail ChildrensTrust@bury.gov.uk for details to log on.   Please see attached flyer and send to any who may not receive this post.

Mental health support

A new single point of access to low level mental health support, run by the voluntary sector, is now being expanded to accept referrals from all health and social care teams and professionals in Bury.  The service provides all-age, non-clinical, non-urgent support for individuals who are experiencing low level emotional health and wellbeing difficulties. The service will offer advice and guidance, provide coping & thriving toolkits and signpost to other services.  It will underpin our wider mental health services and crisis provision in Bury. The service is available Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. The ‘phone number (for professionals only) is 0161 464 3679 and please find attached an overview which includes a referral form.

Safe4Summer

Safe4Summer is a partnership campaign which takes place each year over the summer months. It covers Greater Manchester with the ultimate aim to keep young people safe and provide information to their parents and carers so we can all work together to achieve this. Through the Children’s Trust we try to support this by sharing information about activities for children and young people that will be taking place over the summer months. If you are planning any activities this summer, please send details. You can find out more about Safe4Summer from Damian Miller D.R.Miller@bury.gov.uk or click on this link. It will take you to Bury Directory’s Safe4Summer page. You will also find information there from GMFRS about a creative project they are running for 5 to 16 year olds as part of the campaign.

Posting Positivity

The Youth Participation Service has sent the Children’s Trust information about Posting Positivity. This is a new project that children and young people across Bury can get involved in. Posting Positivity has been set up by Bury Youth Cabinet in partnership with Bury Grammar School. The idea is that children and young people across the borough write letters or draw pictures for people who are isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic for delivery to residential care homes and via the community hubs.  See attached guidance or e-mail youthparticipation@bury.gov.uk for more information.

Music Service

Bury Music Service has a new blog about the Music Service. It links to performances from their players and a growing online resources section for children in school and at home. This is completely free to access.   The aim has been to create not only a fun experience for children, but one which is also full of all the educational value which would normally be evident in the BMS face-to-face provision. Children can receive a certificate for each lesson or workshop that they do.  Click on the link to the blog burymusicblog.wordpress.com

Princes Trust

The Prince’s Trust, in partnership with GMCA, is launching a Future Workforce Fund Grants Programme. This will fund projects that remove barriers for young people and pro-actively move them from a position of disengagement to a position of engagement with employment, education or training.  Grants will be available to organisations that can support young people to cope today and prepare for tomorrow.  Online briefing sessions will be hosted throughout June, giving organisations a chance to find out more about the fund and how to apply.   For further information, to register your interest and to sign up for a briefing event, click on the link.

Flowhesion

Saiqa Ellahi of the Flowhesion Foundation has sent a link to a series of new videos in English and Urdu offering advice and guidance to South-Asian communities. This is particularly for women, to support health and wellbeing during the current Covid-19 pandemic. These resources have been commissioned by GM Walking.   Click on the link.  See attached poster for more information about the Flowhesion Foundation Covid-19 Response & Support Hub.  For more information contact Saiqa Ellahi: 0777 141 5896 covid19.support@flowhesionfoundation.org.uk 

Emotional Support

A Covid-19 emotional support line for black and ethnic minority communities across Greater Manchester has been set up by the Guardian Project charity in partnership with the NESTAC Group.  Deaths among the BAME population are disproportionately high. The dedicated helpline can provide advice, guidance and other service signposting to Covid-19 related issues. This includes psychosocial therapy for women and young girls who have suffered abuse or violence during the outbreak.  Individual or group therapy is available. Advice will be offered in Somali, Kurdish, Swahili, Urdu, Arabic, French and others.   The helpline can be contacted on 07862 279 289 or 07894 126 157, seven days a week, between the hours of 10am and 6pm.  You can also text the word ‘HELP’ to either number and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.   For more information click on the link or e-mail info@nestac.org.uk

Community & Faith

The Bury Voluntary Community & Faith Alliance (VCFA) June funding bulletin is available at this link.

Psychological First Aid

Public Health England is hosting a free webinar on Psychological First Aid training during the Covid-19 pandemic.  PFA is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies.  The webinar takes place on 22 June from 11am to 12pm.   For more information and to register, click on the link.

See, hear, respond

A national See, Hear, Respond service is being launched on 15 June by Barnardos. This is in partnership with other charities and funded by the DofE. It aims to respond to children and young people whose voices are not heard and who have been more at risk of harm to their wellbeing due to impact of Covid-19.  The programme will provide tailored support for children and families, to help reduce levels of harm. This will include online and digital support plus face-to-face interventions using social distancing measures and PPE. There will also be wider targeted work with children who will need help reintegrating back into school. This initiative is open to all children where there are concerns for their safety and wellbeing and who are not being seen by statutory agencies. To find out more please Click on the link.