Support is still available for families struggling to cope – Carla Malseed

The All of Us campaign is reaching out to parents before they reach crisis point, writes Carla Malseed

The Covid-19 pandemic is placing additional strain on families (Picture: John Devlin)

Feeling anxious, isolated or trapped and desperate to get back to “normal life” are all things we are increasingly hearing in our daily phone and video calls. But what about for those of us for whom “normal life” was already a struggle, and now because of the coronavirus pandemic, finances have become even tighter, there is no respite from our children’s needs or relationship strains, and our usual support is no longer available? Under these circumstances, families experiencing hardships before Covid-19 are now struggling to barely cope.

It is so important that parents know that, despite the lockdown measures in place, support is still out there and they know where to turn before they are pushed to crisis point.

Earlier this year, NSPCC Scotland teamed up with the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee to launch the All of Us campaign and held a number of community events across the city to let families know where and how they could get support.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland campaigns manage

Now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the landscape of support services has changed – so we have brought together information on our web pages about organisations and contacts where families can turn for help in the current circumstances. This includes information about support for parents with financial difficulties, those finding it hard to get enough food, and those experiencing mental health issues. We have also sent this information in food boxes to more than 300 families across the city and via email to parents through schools. And we have been reaching out to families needing extra help with a targeted social media campaign.

Looking after a child can be challenging for all parents at times but even more so in the current situation, and we want anyone struggling with parenting to know that they can contact the NSPCC Helpline, where our trained professionals can offer advice.

Our helpline is open to give confidential advice and support to anyone who has a concern about a child’s welfare.

As this pandemic has changed our communities, and schools have closed, it is more important than ever for all of us to check in with families and that people reach out so that support can be given and children are protected from coming to harm.

The All of Us campaign also brings together relevant organisations to gain insight into how we can best work in Edinburgh to support families and protect children across the city. We are doing this by hosting online workshops – with the first one held last week being joined by people representing 11 different organisations.

Finally, to reiterate what I said at the start – and as we mark the beginning of Maternal Mental Health Awareness week – we want parents in Edinburgh to know that, despite so much of normal life being closed down, there is still help out there and it is so important for people to reach out.

To find out more about the campaign and about available support visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland campaigns manager, on behalf of the All of Us campaign being run with Edinburgh Child Protection Committee