The mission of Welcare is to work alongside parents to give practical and emotional support to overcome challenges and change lives for the better and we are continuing to do this. Our approach is all about working together, which is why our decision to close all our centres to the public and suspend home visiting is so difficult. However, we are following government guidelines to slow the spread of the virus and therefore our staff are now working from home to protect our NHS and save lives.
We remain open for new referrals and continue to work with individual parents and children through regular ‘phone contact, email and digital channels.
If you would like to refer yourself or you wish to make a referral please contact our centres directly by ‘phone and email.
We are extending the distribution of emergency supermarket vouchers and food bags to families in need who are known to us. Please support our campaign to enable us to help more families.
Send a letter of hope to a family in need
Our East Surrey Centre Manager on her way to distribute food parcels to families most in need. In the initial phase of the crisis we distributed 39 supermarket vouchers to the value of £820, 14 bags of food and 2 foodbank vouchers and we have increased distribution in the subsequent weeks as we co-ordinate with other local organisations to enable us to target support.
We have collated resources to help families cope with COVID-19 including a range of teaching resources, timetable suggestions, recipes, arts and crafts for children, well-being advice and other helpful websites. Please share with parents or anyone who will find them helpful.
At the current times it’s even more important that children and young people learn how they can be superheroes and are able to stay #positive and learn to be #resilient amidst the crisis in our world. Please help us share our virtual #CapeAbility campaign with parents you know. Children can be encouraged to make a cape out of recycled materials (such as old bedsheets and T-shirts) and decorate it at home. They will be asked to write encouraging messages to those in isolation and to the most vulnerable on their capes. Photos of the capes can be sent to fundraising@welcare.org and they will be shared on social media to spread their messages. Parents can use our lesson plans and activities with their children at home.
We will continue to update you and share information that we think will benefit families – please take care of each other.
This does not mean that our services have stopped.
Our staff are still working and happy to take calls and respond to emails if any of you need support or advice.
Our centres
Bromley
Email: bromley@welcare.org Tel: 020 8466 0399
https://welcare.org/our-services/services/localsupport/bromley/
East Surrey
Email: redhill@welcare.org For the Centre Manager – 07967 092404
For a Family Support Worker – 07804 966759 or 07423 123001
https://welcare.org/our-services/services/localsupport/east-surrey/
Greenwich
Email: greenwich@welcare.org Tel: 020 8854 3865
https://welcare.org/our-services/services/localsupport/greenwich-centre/
Inner London
Email: innerlondon@welcare.org Tel: 020 7820 7913
https://welcare.org/our-services/services/localsupport/innerlondon/
South West London
Email: southwestlondon@welcare.org Tel: 020 8893 9123
https://welcare.org/our-services/services/localsupport/swlondon/
As always, everyone should continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Please check the online advice for the latest and most up-to-date information
COVID-19 UK guidance for the public
and the PHE blog for further information What you need to know
Unfortunately we have cancelled a number of fundraising events including the Lent lunches planned between now and Easter, however we hope that you will consider donating to us through the following link to enable us to provide practical and emotional support to families in need.
Being concerned about what’s going on around us is understandable and we found a helpful article with some tips for how you can look after your well-being.
We will keep this news article updated.
We are here to care. Here now. Here always.
