New Heights Warren Farm Community Project, based in Kingstanding, Birmingham, aims to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged members of their community through the delivery of activity and support sessions.
The gbp foundation has recently provided funding to the charity to enable them to deliver a project that will respond to the increased needs of vulnerable toddlers and their families by providing them with educational home-based activities in which to engage young children.
COVID-19 lock-down and social distancing requirements required the suspension of twice weekly playgroup sessions for children under 5 years and their parents / carers. This has significantly impacted on the educational and social benefits which these vulnerable children and their families would have benefited from during the last 18 months (a significant period for children under 5 years old). Additionally, this community is ranked within the 2% most deprived in England (Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019), where income is low and health outcomes are poorer - impacting on the emotional health and development of social skills.
The project will help 46 toddlers catch-up on the social and educational benefits of activities lost due to the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on already vulnerable families. Providing them with an educational toy and book library, activity packs and free school holiday meals to address food poverty experienced by families in this deprived community.
Expected impacts of the project include:
Improved emotional well-being through developing social skills, interacting with family members and engaging in arts and craft / play.
Expanded positive relationships with family members through improved opportunities to play and interact.
Develop essential educational skills through use of craft and play equipment, educational books and enjoying new experiences using games from the Toy Library.
Reduction of impact of Food Poverty on families.
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