Call 01322 668501 • Email admin@wearebeams.org.uk OUR SERVICES ABOUT FUNDRAISING EVENTS SUPPORT US PROFESSIONALS CONTACT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF KCC AND CCG COMMISSIONERS We have seen an increase in distress in young people, specifically 10 to 16 who are feeling socially isolated and may be struggling with conflict or relationship difficulties at home. In addition, we know that young people who display behaviours associated with neurodevelopment conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or ADHD are likely to find it more difficult to recognise their distress and access support associated with their wellbeing. Action is being taken across schools, health services, and social care to try to identify young people who may be particularly vulnerable to emotional distress at this time. However, we would like to draw your attention to a range of support available to young people and their families. EMOTIONAL WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: If a young person or their parents are not sure what support is needed, then they can call the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0300 123 4496 to talk through what information, advice, and support might be appropriate. This is also the number to call if a child or young person needs urgent mental health support. For people of all ages needing immediate mental health support, just TEXT the word “Kent” to 85258. This is a new 24/7 text service provided by SHOUT and the Crisis Text Line as part of the Kent and Medway Release the Pressure campaign. Other services that young people can access directly are: Kooth is a mental health and wellbeing online platform for young people aged 10 to 16 across the whole of Kent. The service is free and can be accessed at www.kooth.com. It’s a place to get advice, information, and support 24/7. Young people can chat with a friendly qualified counsellor Monday to Friday between 12 noon and 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday between 6 pm and 10 pm. Accessing www.moodspark.org.uk or www.kentresiliencehub.org.uk to learn about mental health and find tips and resources to keep emotionally healthy. Texting ChatHealth for support around physical and mental health on 07520 618850. The number is monitored Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Self-referring to the Children and Young People’s Counselling Service at www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-referral-form Accessing the Big White Wall if aged 16+ for anonymous support through https://www.bigwhitewall.com KCC quite “Please support us in reaching out to the children and young people of Kent. Thank you for everything you do to support our county’s children and young people”. Beams Family Advice Team are also available on familyadvice@wearebeams.org.uk or 01322 668501 option1 _________________________________________________________ AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND SURVEY ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, KENT COUNTY COUNCIL This notice is for families who currently access a grant-funded short break activity programme, we have asked Beams to announce this to you on our behalf. Our specialist Short Breaks providers and many Direct Payment carers (PAs) have not been able to offer their normal services and most activities that provide much-needed breaks for both disabled children and young people and their families have been cancelled. Disabled Children and Young People Services are having to make some major changes to the usual service offer due to the impact of COVID-19 and we would like your input into how best we resume services. On Sunday the government announced measures to ease the restriction and has published its plan outlining the roadmap on how easing of lockdown restrictions is being planned. You can access that announcement HERE We would like to start planning how best to support families to access a form of a short break. There are of course many considerations on how these services will be run including the measures needed to keep your children/ young people, family, as well as staff safe. We will be working with Beams to ensure that all the governmental recommendations are in place and that expert recommendations are followed to help keep your children and young people safe. We are consulting with you to through this survey so we are better informed by you and understand if you would like to access short breaks and what else we could consider putting in place: Please only complete this survey if Beams as your provider has requested you to do so. If you have any issues with completing this survey please contact Commissioning for Disabled Children E: commissioningfordisabledchildren@kent.gov.uk __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ USEFUL DOWNLOAD. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY BOOKLET _______________________________________________________________ PARENT SUPPORT We have support materials to help you explain to your child about what is going on around them at present. Coronavirus Social Story Click HERE for download Hospital and Coronavirus explained Click HERE for download Please see the images in the gallery below. CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL STORY IMAGES There are 17 pages of images. PAGE-1 PAGE-2 PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 PAGE-8 PAGE-9 PAGE-10 PAGE-11 PAGE-12 PAGE-13 PAGE-14 PAGE-15 PAGE-16 PAGE-17 HOSPITAL AND CORONAVIRUS EXPLAINED There are 9 images. PAGE-1 PAGE-2 PAGE-3 PAGE-4 PAGE-5 PAGE-6 PAGE-7 PAGE-8 PAGE-9 CONTACT US 01322 668501 admin@wearebeams.org.uk OUR ADDRESS We Are Beams 38-40 St David’s Road Hextable Kent BR8 7RJ SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT US DONATE ©2018-2020 We Are Beams • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Statement • Registered Charity Number 1054129 • Website by Panoramic Design