The coronavirus, national and local lockdowns have been difficult for an enormous number of people and families across the UK and the rest of the world.
The North East of England has been hit significantly with many people being forced to spend more on day-to-day living and bills, having to change job or reduce hours and even becoming unemployed.
In our own school community, our Carville Family, some of you have seen huge changes to your family circumstances and the circumstances of your friends and their families. We have seen an increase in free school meals eligibility to 67%, two thirds of our children. Our pupil premium has increased by 20% to around 74%, nearly three-quarters of our children. Many of our children and families are experiencing some difficulties with mental and physical health, money or finding the right help at the right time.
Carville is committed to supporting you as a member of our Carville Family as we recover together from the changes forced on us all by Covid-19. Working with the Wallsend Children’s Community, the Carville Co-OP has been created in school.
There are a range of services in both North Tyneside and Newcastle that are there to support you with:
- Finance – benefits, coronavirus support, housing, debt, clothing
- Family support – young and adult carers, domestic and sexual violence, family in prison
- Children – pregnancy and parenthood, groups and activities, general health, children’s mental health
- Health – adult mental health and wellbeing, addiction
- New to the area – Asylum seekers and refugees, domestic abuse resettlement and support
We have reallocated some of the money we receive from the government to provide school meals for all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to provide a community pantry. This has been further funded by Wallsend Children’s Community and the support of ASDA and Tesco. Household goods (washing powder, cleaners, toilet roll, etc.), toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste/brush, shower gel, etc.) and pantry foods are now available to collect from school by families who can make use of them.
We also have a range of uniform and other clothing items with plenty of life left in them.
How does the Carville Co-OP work?
The support from Carville Co-OP is available to ALL our families. We will be running on the principle of:
“Take what you need, leave what you can.”
This may mean that you:
- Just come along for some advice on where to get specific help or support
- Bring clothes and uniform that no longer fit to swap
- Pay what you can for the shopping that you take
- Swap food, toiletries or household goods you have and don’t need for ones that you do
- Make a donation of clothes, uniform or pantry items
- Can leave nothing this time, but leave something in future when you can
- A combination of the above
Our Community Outreach Programme
How do I use the Carville Co-OP?
- Sign to say you understand that your personal information will not be shared with anybody else outside of school.
- Complete the survey to give us an idea of the type of support you need and may like to discuss. We have a directory of local service providers that you can take away with you containing contact details for services in North Tyneside and Newcastle who are there to support you, your child and family. There is no pressure to discuss your personal circumstances with us if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.
- Select as many days and times as you are able to come along to school. A visit will take about 15-30 minutes.
- Wait for a time slot to be sent to you.
- Come along in your time slot and a member of staff will greet you.
- “Take what you need,, leave what you can..””
- Later, let us know how the support you have received has helped you, your child and family.
