Resources To Ease Isolation For Resettled Families
Resources To Ease Isolation For Resettled Families
In its very essence, community hinges on personal interactions to irrigate an ever-expanding web of social networks. We meet, talk, discuss, reflect and action so that eventually, we can change the world or at least strengthen our response to it.
In the past few weeks, the world has changed but abruptly so, without our consent, and altered not only the way we work but fundamentally changed the way we are together. However technically inept we may feel, virtual meeting rooms are now where we will get things done for the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, we have witnessed an extraordinary effort from community groups to innovate and share resources, tips, tools and ideas to make life a little easier for the families they have sponsored.
To combat feelings of isolation, loneliness, despair and fear, groups have done a deep dive into the world wide web and discovered some incredibly useful links which we have collated in a single document below.
Click here to access our List of Resources
Resources include information on:
COVID-19 in English and Arabic and a range of other languages
ESOL classes
Homeschooling
Learning apps for children
Audiobooks
Home exercise videos
And much more
We will continue to update this document with new links and resources as we find and receive them.
One group member came up with the idea of reading bedtime stories to the resettled family’s children via Skype - what an excellent way of showing care, teaching English and creating a comfortable routine all at the same time!
We therefore welcome the sharing of resources and ideas and encourage groups to share with both Sponsor Refugees and each other. Emails have been shared between those who signed up for it. If you wish to receive updates and join our weekly calls, please email: communitysponsorship@citizensuk.org
Weekly Video Calls for Community Sponsorship Groups
To keep connected and share your great ideas, we are running weekly “Lunch & Learn” video calls for Community Sponsorship groups on Fridays at 1pm.
Reset are also running weekly virtual drop-ins from groups on Wednesdays at 5.30pm
See a list of their Virtual Drop-in Sessions here .
Upcoming sessions discuss:
General Q&A (01 April) - register here
Schools and Education (03 April) - join via zoom here
Receiving a family: hear from Groups with arrived families (08 April)
Learning about benefits from Groups who have helped families through the process (15 April)
Setting boundaries in your support: examples from Groups with arrived families (22 April)
These will give you a chance to learn about the various aspects of community sponsorship under COVID-19 and to discuss challenges and share ideas.
However scary and challenging the situation, COVID-19 is an opportunity to explore new ways of learning and supporting each other when we are the most vulnerable. Let’s keep the good ideas flowing!