Message from Susie Besant, CEO of One-Eighty about COVID-19
One-Eighty is an organisation committed to supporting vulnerable young people in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties. This remains a fundamental aspect of our ethos, and a motivation to ensure the wellbeing of those we work with, despite the threat of COVID-19.
Our work is essential – interventions in normal circumstances (independent of COVID-19) are focused on supporting looked after children, young people with SEND, mental health needs, educational / learning, emotional, social, and behavioural needs. Our proven and highly-regarded approach to supporting vulnerable young people with complex personal challenges continues to lead the way for voluntary services across Oxfordshire.
The underlying concerns for these young people are now heightened with the threat of the virus on our society, so we see our organisation as crucial to try to contain and support these young people to the best of our skilled-abilities.
We need to continue to work holistically with teachers, social workers and mental health workers to provide support whilst safeguarding the team and young people. Furthermore, we are mindful that schools and staff, particularly those in leadership and face-to-face positions within organisations, are under extreme stress. We want to act as a supportive organisation to help alleviate and manage those pressures.
As normal practice, we try to find solutions and alternatives to problems, therefore we are encouraging organisations to share their problems in this field of work, as we may be able to offer a supportive process and help staff come to alternative solutions. Our highly skilled team is creative and can be flexible with potentially triaging young people in your setting, for example.
Under my leadership, and in response to the Government announcement yesterday, we remain open but are risk assessing staff and our ability to undertake face-to-face versus remote sessions daily, to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
We are also pulling together robust plans to enable the continuation of support but utilising alternative practices and technology. For example,
We are creating ‘first aid home packs’ including resources to use at home and guidance on how to use these; helpline contact details related to different risk factors likely within our young people (such as those suffering with self-harm, experiencing domestic violence within the home or suffering with anxiety); a list of online links to resources; and a ‘create your own’ routine template.
Communicating with Local Authority leads and partners to provide holistic support across the county and into Buckinghamshire
A revised strategy to support with immediate problems for schools
To do this, we need your support to ensure we are able to continue to adapt to the ever-changing advice whilst still maintaining our support of vulnerable young people and families.
Please click here to donate to One-Eighty.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Susie Besant
Chief Executive Officer