Page 18 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020
P. 18

Charities are adapting fast. Brian O’Hagan of Reaching Families   describes how they have had to modify their entire approach.  Reaching Families is a small charity supporting local parent-  carers in West Sussex. The coronavirus pandemic has just   made our mission exponentially harder. We normally focus on   face-to-face and group contact, building networks of mutual   support and helping parents make connections. All of this has   become harder in a world now defined by distance. Parent-  carers are used to self-distancing and social isolation, but none   of us were prepared for this.   Enter technology, which we are harnessing to shift our   methodology in order that we can still reach families. As a   small voluntary organisation we are fortunate that our size and   modest infrastructure allow us to respond quickly to the needs   of families during the pandemic. For example, the support   groups which we normally run in Billingshurst, Littlehampton   and Worthing are now delivered via Zoom.   Our books and factsheets are already available in PDF and   eBook format, our training has been adapted to deliver as live   chat and webinars, our support groups by Zoom, our befriending   and counselling now delivered by Zoom or by phone. We are   lucky too to have supportive funders and, like many similar   organisations of our size, our flexibility has enabled us to   change track quickly.  Whilst our size and the focus of our work allow us to make   these changes the months ahead will be no less daunting as   we work out how best to support families. We’re identifying   what issues they find most challenging, how that will change   as the picture unfolds, how we can best speak up for families,   and how we can help them make the transition back to normal   life when this is all over. Like many organisations we are feeling   our way and doing what we can to engage with families and   find out what they need.   Charities like ours and the wider community sector will be vital   in providing the support which vulnerable families receive during   the pandemic. The Government needs to do more to recognise   and support families of children with special educational needs   and disabilities. They have more to do in supporting the charities,   voluntary organisations and community groups that will be so   vital to the task ahead.    Brian O’Hagan   is a parent-carer and Director of Reaching   Families, a grassroots charity providing information, training and   peer support for parent-carers in the towns and villages of West   Sussex. Reaching Families exists to reach and empower isolated   and marginalised families of children with special educational   needs and disabilities. It was founded by parent-carers and   continues to be managed and governed by parent-carers.  www.reachingfamilies.org.uk  SEN  106  senmagazine.co.uk  18  COVID-19  Reaching out    across Sussex


































































































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