Children and young people thanked for staying at home during coronavirus outbreak

Central
Nottingham
Tuesday 21 April 2020 at 2:47pm

With schools and nurseries closed amid the coronavirus pandemic, young people are in the unprecedented situation of spending several weeks separated from their peer group.

There are also warnings that many youngsters will be traumatised and need counselling once the pandemic is over.

Now, a new campaign that praises young people for their resilience is gathering pace.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford, of Nottinghamshire Police, is thanking children as part of an initiative by Nottingham’s Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Peace.

Sir John has created a certificate, with the help of staff from St Giles’ Special School, which teachers, parents and carers can download for young people who are following the rules.

The #ThankOurChildren campaign recognises the determination and resilience of children and young people, which is helping the national effort in succeeding together during the outbreak.

Chief Constable Guildford said: “I know it’s really difficult at the moment, particularly with the sun shining, wanting to get back to school, to play out with friends – but we need to beat this virus and it will be over soon. "

Matt Rooney, who is the Head of St Giles School in Nottinghamshire and has worked with Sir John to develop the initiative, said: “not all children will understand why they are staying at home, why they can’t go to school or see their friends in person and it may present new challenges to some parents.

"So, it’s really important that we help them to know they are doing something good and that it really is helping. Their voices must not be lost in all of the other vital work that is happening at this critical time.”

Our Education Correspondent Peter Bearne has been talking to Steph Langley, a mental health nurse in Nottinghamshire, who says children are having to use all the resilience they've got to pull through this.