Coronavirus: stop disruption of childhood – charities

Young people face “unprecedented threats” to their future due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and should be prioritized, says a group of charities.

Children are “in a mysterious world, full of uncertainty,” say 146 organizations.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, they urge the government to put children’s needs on a par with health and the economy to prevent their life chances from being derailed.

The government said that “throughout the pandemic we have prioritized the safety and well-being of children.”

Charities and other agencies, including Action for Children, Barnardo’s, National Children’s Bureau, NSPCC, Children’s Society, Unicef ​​UK, and Child Poverty Action Group, say Covid-19 “threatens to cast its shadow” on youth for years to come

“They don’t know when they can go back to school. They worry about when they can see friends and family. They are anxious about family finances,” they warn.

“We know that this uncertainty and concern will lead to anxiety and mental health problems.”

“We know that closed schools will harm the educational achievements and life chances of the poorest children.

“We know that black, Asian and minority ethnic communities will be the most affected.

“We know there are more financial difficulties to come.”

Charities say that the voices of children, youth and families must be at the heart of the recovery and reconstruction process and there must be a renewed investment in the services they trust.

‘Put Children First: It’s the Covid Children’

Jennifer from Bristol, the mother of two children with disabilities, told the BBC that the past few weeks have been very difficult for her family.

She says one of her children has had regular panic attacks at night, while the other recently said, “I want to jump out the window, I just want this to be over.”

Her youngest son was so scared that he refused to go out into the garden “because he thinks he is going to catch something just for being outside.”

“It is a real fight for me to try to get him out there and get some fresh air.”

With the help of Action for Children, he now has a trampoline in the garden to encourage him to venture outside.

Jennifer says there are times when she feels like she has disappointed her children and goes to the shower when everything gets too much.

“No one can hear you cry in the shower, can they? Then they don’t know. It is not good for them to see that you are not coping.”

She feels that the needs of children and families have been overlooked during the pandemic.

“We went out and applauded for the NHS, for the caregivers, but did anyone think of the children, are they the Covid children, and how their little lives were overturned and their routines ruined?”

His message to the government is simple: “They must start putting children first and their mental health.”

Charities say: “The government, understandably, has so far focused on the immediate economic and health consequences.

“It is time for the nation to put a strong and protective arm around its children, to prevent childhood from being interrupted and life opportunities derailed.”

A government spokeswoman said: “Schools and universities have remained open to vulnerable children and we keep in touch with the most exposed people.

“We have expanded front-line charity support and provided new resources for schools and teachers to support children’s mental health.”

The government has announced a recovery package for lost teaching time, an investment plan to improve schools and university buildings and will continue to invest in education for the first few years, he added.

The letter to the prime minister comes when a poll by Barnardo suggests that the blockade has affected the mental health and well-being of young people.

The survey of 4,000 UK children and youth aged 8-24 found that a third had experienced an increase in stress, loneliness and worry.

Almost three-quarters (74%) said they did not attend school or university.

Follow Katherine On twitter