Interview with Aberlour children's charity
Liz Nolan, Depute Director of Aberlour, talks about how the families Aberlour work with have been affected by the pandemic
- What have been the specific issues for the families you work with during the pandemic?
- isolation, increases in mental health and domestic abuse issues
- loss of income
- significant increases in living costs – increased food and electricity costs as children not in school, clothing cost increases
- digital exclusion and inability to undertake school work
- increased travel costs.
- How have your services adapted and responded?
- increased digital engagement – 1:1 and group activities.
- practical support such as shopping and meal delivery for families who would normally have had face to face support
- help from Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund
- What are the issues arising for families that you work with now?
- ongoing financial difficulties
- ongoing mental health issues
- fear of eviction
- loss of jobs and limited opportunities
- childcare issues
- What needs to happen to help families that you work with now?
- increased access to financial support.
- additional support for family support as we have seen a significant increase in need
- Families previously unknown to us have had to ask or be referred for family and financial support.