Newark and Sherwood Community Hub distributes craft boxes to isolated families on low incomes and to schools looking after children of key workers
Boxes of crafts are being handed out to families in Newark and Sherwood to get them creative during the coronavirus lockdown.
Newark and Sherwood Community Hub, also known as Newark Play Forum — which is part-funded by the district council — has been assembling the kits to help isolated families and those on low incomes to entertain their children.
The crafty care packages have also been sent to several schools looking after the children of key workers, as well as to families who are self isolating in temporary accommodation for the homeless.
A whole host of exciting activities for children feature toy figures, masks and flag-making. There are also crayons, glue, scissors, die cuts, word searches, dot-to-dot books and drawing paper.
Newark and Sherwood District Council said each box contains enough to entertain two children, aged five to ten, for hours.
Jill Musson, manager of the district community hub, said the pandemic would be a difficult time for some children.
"They can’t see their friends or socialise and are restricted in where they can go," she said. "Play is very important for their mental health and well-being as well as their imagination.
"These craft boxes can also help parents who may be struggling to access resources and we felt this was a good way to ‘do our bit’ for our community.”
The hub had another 24 boxes for HomeStart, a Newark family support charity, distributed last week and a second craft box delivery will take place on Monday, May 4.
This second batch of boxes will include activities to celebrate 75 years since VE Day and parents are encouraged to use the event as an opportunity for home learning.
District council leader David Lloyd said: “The huge effort from community groups and volunteers during this outbreak has been remarkable. The hub is working incredibly hard and thinking creatively to ensure that children are given a way to express themselves emotionally through play and craft at this unprecedented time.
“We, as adults, may understand what is happening around us but it must be very strange and often overwhelming for children right now. I would like to thank the hub and all other community groups and volunteers for their overwhelming support, time and dedication during this pandemic.”
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