SNAP stays strong for families

Helpline 

SNAP’s Family Support Advisers are continuing to provide an essential listening ear and offering help and advice to parents and carers. We are booking telephone appointments with families who need more in-depth support and are also continuing to register new families – more than 500 families turned to SNAP for the first time last year.

“Both parents and children are understandably struggling during the current exceptional circumstances and the challenges they face are varied,” said Family Support Adviser Liza.

“The calls and emails we are supporting through the Helpline are increasingly intensive as the weeks progress. 

“Many of our families are at high risk or vulnerable to the coronavirus due to a range of existing conditions as well as immune deficiencies. These families are dealing with extended self-isolation and are having to deal with the practicalities and worries around this.

“Some families have experienced the effects of coronavirus first hand, with members of their family becoming ill and some even being hospitalised.

“Most are facing mental health difficulties or feeling isolated. The easing of the lockdown will also see many of their children struggling with the anxiety and fear of being around family members or going out themselves.

“We understand that being at home with children and other family members may make it harder to have a lengthy and confidential telephone conversation so there is our email Helpline access for families too.

“We are noticing that for some families, their children and young people are not having to face as many challenges involved in coping with school and the social world which has been an unexpected positive. However these families are concerned about the implications of returning to school and how this can be managed appropriately, once the lockdown situation eases.

“Families are facing heightened levels of anxiety, and are having to explain the situation to their children who are anxious, or have learning difficulties,” added Kate, SNAP’s Information and Adminstration Manager.

“We’ve researched and produced a Coronavirus Family Guide to help families navigate these challenging times. There are eight information sheets with each focusing on a different, relevant topic and offering advice, strategies, ideas, and links to trusted websites for further reading.”

The SNAP team keep in contact with each other throughout the day and hold regular virtual update meetings to share information and to support each other too.

“We are doing whatever we can to help by listening, advising, sharing SNAP’s resources and signposting to other organisations we know are also providing assistance during this crisis,” said Liza.

“We are actively checking in on our more vulnerable families to offer them advice and ensure they are coping ok.”

Activity sessions for children and young people

Just before lockdown started SNAP was able to film a number of one-off sessions with some of their team of specialist tutors. These professional films were produced by a talented SNAP supporter and were eagerly received by those SNAP families who usually attended those sessions weekly. This led to the Family Team getting to work on delivering some of these sessions live online weekly.

“The SNAP Team who quickly became adept with using Zoom for group meetings and discussed the format for our virtual sessions, and how to ensure these would remain secure,” said Family Support Adviser, Dale.

“We then held a trial drama session with a small group of young people that have attended for a number of years, and some of our regular centre volunteers. This allowed our volunteers to see how they could offer support and the team to gauge how effective the sessions could be.”

“Following the smooth running of this trial we launched our virtual sessions for Drama Club, Yoga for Young People and Music Therapy with our specialist teachers. They are all now running on a  weekly basis with those children and young people that were attending these activities at The SNAP Centre able to access the session.

“In Drama Club we begin with a group discussion, then split into ‘breakout rooms’ for smaller group work and then come back together as a whole towards the end. For our Yoga sessions we have a lead screen so that everyone is able to follow the teacher.

“The format for Music Therapy is also familiar to our young attendees. We sing our welcome and goodbye songs that incorporate their names and encourage them to participate in well-known songs with actions.”

For SNAP’s Nordoff Robbins trained Music Therapist Emily, moving the sessions online has been a very different experience compared to making music together in person.

“The groups are still able to use the music to work on the same goals as they were before,” said Emily.

“Sharing our music through activities and songs can help to support and develop interaction and communication, focus and listening, as well as taking turns and waiting whilst having fun in the comfort of your own home.”

The SNAP Team and families alike are missing The SNAP Centre and so it is great news for us that we are able to bring some of the magic of the centre into people’s homes during the current challenging time,” adds Karen, SNAP Director for Family Services. 

“At the end of all our sessions, the families have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they have with a member of the SNAP Team and draw on each other’s experiences too.”

As Dale joined the SNAP Family Team just after lockdown was underway it certainly has been a very unconventional first few weeks in a new job!

“It is great to interact with families as I haven’t been able to meet any of them in person yet. I have been able to gain an understanding of the services SNAP provides and the resources we have available. I have also enjoyed being able to use my technology skills to help SNAP launch these virtual sessions.”

Counselling

“Our experienced counsellors are continuing to support the families they were working with either on the phone or via Zoom and Skype appointments,” said Family Support Adviser, Paula.

“We are also offering appointments to families that need crisis support.”

One SNAP parent said: “Today’s session was wonderful and just what we needed.“

 

SNAP continues to deliver the best possible help to families across Essex during the current situation.

Helpline 

SNAP’s Family Support Advisers are continuing to provide an essential listening ear and offering help and advice to parents and carers. We are booking telephone appointments with families who need more in-depth support and are also continuing to register new families – more than 500 families turned to SNAP for the first time last year.

“Both parents and children are understandably struggling during the current exceptional circumstances and the challenges they face are varied,” said Family Support Adviser Liza.

“The calls and emails we are supporting through the Helpline are increasingly intensive as the weeks progress. 

“Many of our families are at high risk or vulnerable to the coronavirus due to a range of existing conditions as well as immune deficiencies. These families are dealing with extended self-isolation and are having to deal with the practicalities and worries around this.

“Some families have experienced the effects of coronavirus first hand, with members of their family becoming ill and some even being hospitalised.

“Most are facing mental health difficulties or feeling isolated. The easing of the lockdown will also see many of their children struggling with the anxiety and fear of being around family members or going out themselves.

“We understand that being at home with children and other family members may make it harder to have a lengthy and confidential telephone conversation so there is our email Helpline access for families too.

“We are noticing that for some families, their children and young people are not having to face as many challenges involved in coping with school and the social world which has been an unexpected positive. However these families are concerned about the implications of returning to school and how this can be managed appropriately, once the lockdown situation eases.

“Families are facing heightened levels of anxiety, and are having to explain the situation to their children who are anxious, or have learning difficulties,” added Kate, SNAP’s Information and Adminstration Manager.

“We’ve researched and produced a Coronavirus Family Guide to help families navigate these challenging times. There are eight information sheets with each focusing on a different, relevant topic and offering advice, strategies, ideas, and links to trusted websites for further reading.”

The SNAP team keep in contact with each other throughout the day and hold regular virtual update meetings to share information and to support each other too.

“We are doing whatever we can to help by listening, advising, sharing SNAP’s resources and signposting to other organisations we know are also providing assistance during this crisis,” said Liza.

“We are actively checking in on our more vulnerable families to offer them advice and ensure they are coping ok.”

Activity sessions for children and young people

Just before lockdown started SNAP was able to film a number of one-off sessions with some of their team of specialist tutors. These professional films were produced by a talented SNAP supporter and were eagerly received by those SNAP families who usually attended those sessions weekly. This led to the Family Team getting to work on delivering some of these sessions live online weekly.

“The SNAP Team who quickly became adept with using Zoom for group meetings and discussed the format for our virtual sessions, and how to ensure these would remain secure,” said Family Support Adviser, Dale.

“We then held a trial drama session with a small group of young people that have attended for a number of years, and some of our regular centre volunteers. This allowed our volunteers to see how they could offer support and the team to gauge how effective the sessions could be.”

“Following the smooth running of this trial we launched our virtual sessions for Drama Club, Yoga for Young People and Music Therapy with our specialist teachers. They are all now running on a  weekly basis with those children and young people that were attending these activities at The SNAP Centre able to access the session.

“In Drama Club we begin with a group discussion, then split into ‘breakout rooms’ for smaller group work and then come back together as a whole towards the end. For our Yoga sessions we have a lead screen so that everyone is able to follow the teacher.

“The format for Music Therapy is also familiar to our young attendees. We sing our welcome and goodbye songs that incorporate their names and encourage them to participate in well-known songs with actions.”

For SNAP’s Nordoff Robbins trained Music Therapist Emily, moving the sessions online has been a very different experience compared to making music together in person.

“The groups are still able to use the music to work on the same goals as they were before,” said Emily.

“Sharing our music through activities and songs can help to support and develop interaction and communication, focus and listening, as well as taking turns and waiting whilst having fun in the comfort of your own home.”

The SNAP Team and families alike are missing The SNAP Centre and so it is great news for us that we are able to bring some of the magic of the centre into people’s homes during the current challenging time,” adds Karen, SNAP Director for Family Services. 

“At the end of all our sessions, the families have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they have with a member of the SNAP Team and draw on each other’s experiences too.”

As Dale joined the SNAP Family Team just after lockdown was underway it certainly has been a very unconventional first few weeks in a new job!

“It is great to interact with families as I haven’t been able to meet any of them in person yet. I have been able to gain an understanding of the services SNAP provides and the resources we have available. I have also enjoyed being able to use my technology skills to help SNAP launch these virtual sessions.”

Counselling

“Our experienced counsellors are continuing to support the families they were working with either on the phone or via Zoom and Skype appointments,” said Family Support Adviser, Paula.

“We are also offering appointments to families that need crisis support.”

One SNAP parent said: “Today’s session was wonderful and just what we needed.“

SNAP’s Family team are delighted to have introduced
a programme of virtual ‘Specialist Talks at yours’
from mid-May.

“SNAP organises a unique and diverse calendar of Specialist Talks each term and we were determined to maintain our training schedule and help increase resilience and empowerment for our parents and
carers,” said Karen.

“This new programme has been devised to support families with concerns they may currently have and we are researching other opportunities for the future. Our first webinar on the subject of Tackling Toileting was delivered to parents and carers on 13th May by Kathryn Miller, Specialist Teacher and Autism Specialist.

Sarah Hendrickx on ASD and the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic Wednesday 20th May at 11.00am and 7.00pm

Sensory Processing Differences Wednesday 3rd June at 11.00am and 7.00pm – one hour talk plus Q&A

Can’t Sleep, Won’t Sleep Wednesday 10th June at 11.00am – one hour talk plus time for Q&A

“SNAP are also going to be running two talks with Sarah Hendrickx,” added Karen. 

“Sarah will join us for a session focussing on the thoughts and experiences of being autistic in the current coronavirus situation. Sarah will share some personal thoughts along with opinions, ideas and strategies from people she has spoken to through her work with autistic adults and
children, and their families.”