Tag: parents

Read More, Feel Better: Fort Kinnaird launches summer holiday reading campaign to support children’s wellbeing

Fort Kinnaird has partnered with the National Literacy Trust to launch a new summer holiday reading campaign, as new research reveals that almost half of children (45%) in Scotland claim that reading makes them feel better.

The ‘Read More, Feel Better’ campaign is designed to help children across the community to continue reading for fun over the summer holidays, with a selection of top tips and advice for parents on the Fort Kinnaird website, including how to create an effective reading space at home and the best books for supporting children’s wellbeing.

Fort Kinnaird and the National Literacy Trust will also be hosting a live storytelling session for children in August, with two expert storytellers sharing exciting and engaging tales for children aged 5 – 11 years. Parents will need to register for the Zoom session in advance – keep an eye on Fort Kinnaird’s social feeds for all the details.

The centre has also donated 100 books to Venchie as part of the campaign. This follows a series of donations the centre has made to local foodbanks and charities throughout the pandemic.

‘Read More, Feel Better’ is being delivered as part of the award-winning Young Readers Programme, an initiative run by Fort Kinnaird’s co-owner, British Land, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Our research shows that almost half of children across the country said that reading helps them relax and feel better. 

“Not only does this campaign help to support children’s wellbeing, it’s also a great way to ensure their continued literary development in a period of their education which has been so disruptive.”

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “The Read More, Feel Better campaign is a great initiative.

“The events of the last 15 months have meant that we wanted to go even further to provide some support for parents over the summer holidays, and to highlight how doing little things can have such a positive impact.”

Parent Club support for parents and families

Advice for parents and carers on managing the impact of Covid-19 on their child’s learning and family life is now available.

Following school closures, a new hub of information has been created on parentclub.scot covering health information, advice on how to talk about Covid-19 and ideas on helping children through this time.

In addition; councils and headteachers can also advise parents and carers on the continued provision of education and childcare for key workers.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “This is the biggest challenge of our lives and my priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of children and young people, and as far as possible, to minimise disruption to learning.

“My message for parents and carers is clear – you are not alone and we are here to help you. We do not expect you to be teachers or set up a classroom, but there are ways you can support your child or children at home which will help their continued wellbeing and learning.

“Our Parent Club website offers valuable tips for families on managing the impact of Covid-19 and ways to support children through this uncertain period.

“I would also highlight the excellent advice already provided by many organisations like Young Scot or Children 1st that talk directly to young people about their concerns.”

Good listeners sought by Edinburgh-based helpline

GOOD LISTENERS SOUGHT BY EDINBURGH-BASED HELPLINE

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An Edinburgh based helpline for stressed parents and carers is looking for volunteer call takers. ParentLine Scotland took more than 4000 calls from anxious mums, dads and carers from across the country last year.

The charity offers a helpline, email and web-chat service, for anyone caring for or concerned about a child. It is run by CHILDREN 1ST which works to ensure every child and young person in Scotland has a happy, healthy, safe and secure childhood.

Helpline Manager Jill Cook said: “Our volunteers make an enormous difference to the lives of mums, dads, carers, and professionals just by being there to listen and reassure. It’s a vital service and we ensure they’re ready for the role with 40 hours of high quality training. They also have back-up from a supervisor.”

Volunteers at ParentLine Scotland give a minimum commitment to a year after training. The charity says it’s looking for caring, non-judgemental people who are interested in the wellbeing of children and young people.  Calls can be about all sorts of issues from bullying to separating families, teenage behaviour and toddlers tantrums.

Volunteer Janin Pohl (40) said: “Whatever people call with we take it seriously, it’s not trivial. In that time they are valued. You don’t often find out how things go but at the time you have that sense that there is now a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

The next volunteer training course starts on 31 January. To find out more contact parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk

ParentLine Scotland is open 365 days a year on 08000 28 22 33. You can also get in touch by web-chat at www.children1st.org.uk/parentlineor by email parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk 

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Volunteer Profile

Janin Pohl (40) from Edinburgh has been a ParentLine Scotland volunteer for three and a half years. She was born in Germany and travelled before settling in Edinburgh seven years ago. She is trained in counselling and shiatsu massage. Janin is blind.

How did you get involved?

“When I saw the advert for ParentLine Scotland I came at it from the perspective of a child. There are so many things that aren’t talked about in families. They’re swept under the carpet or people never say how they are feeling and I thought maybe it’s like that for adults too. Plus I’d done counselling training and this was a way I could use my skills. I’d been volunteering from home and I thought it would be good to go to an office with a team and a supervisor and be with people.”

Why do you think ParentLine can help even when friends and family can’t?

“You can decide when you want to talk and the caller is in control. They can say things they would never say at home. Some people do have support but find it easier to talk to a stranger who will not judge them or their situation.”

How do you cope with calls that are upsetting?

“If I have a difficult call the most important thing is to acknowledge how it is making me feel. If I feel sad then I am sad. If I need to I can get support from the supervisor and we can talk about it.”

What would you say to someone considering volunteering?

“I’d say it’s always good to give something a try. You don’t need to have a family of your own. As someone from outside of the family you have perspective. It’s about being there with them accompanying the person in what they are going through.”