Due to Covid-19, now, more than ever safe and consistent support is needed for vulnerable children who are cut off from their world and normality. This is why we are building a virtual network. So that we can ensure some of the most vulnerable children right now are not alone and their needs are heard and met. That is why we need you! With your help will recruit, train and match 30 committed mentors with 30 children living in Hammersmith and Fulham, who for varying reasons, will benefit immensely from staying connected. We have already matched 100+ children across London with their own online mentor, who are supporting them right now! Our mentors are inspirational adults who will be trained and assisted to provide urgent, safe, fun, online and phone support each week. We will provide care packages to all the children we work with, along with games, activities and monthly challenges to keep them engaged and build resilience.

What we'll deliver:

• 30 children with their own inspirational mentor
• Care packages including tablets, art supplies and books to these children
• Recruitment, vetting and training of 30 new volunteers to become mentors
• A celebration day for all our children and volunteer mentors once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted!

Why it's a great idea:

Most of us are feeling the effects of isolation, but for some children, these times are even scarier, more lonely and more damaging. This project will make the most of what people have to offer right now - time, happiness and connectivity. With your help, we will make sure that children most in need of staying connected right now, are. Whether it is by playing games or discussing goals, the Kids Network will make a difference to a child’s life by building their confidence, resilience and developing the tools to manage their feelings for a positive future. We will be a key link to respond to any practical or emotional issues children are facing, such as a lack of food, particularly worrying low emotional wellbeing and more. Most importantly, we will remind these children that they have a community around them that cares.

Steps to get it done:

• Recruit and train atleast 30 new volunteer mentors
• Match atleast 30 children with their own volunteer mentor
• Post care packages, including tablets, art supplies and books to these children
• Post monthly challenges and the supplies needed to complete these
• Host a fun celebration day for all children and their mentors post isolation measures

Some quotes from parents and mentors who we are already working with: "It has been great working with you and we really appreciate all the hard work Kids Network do as a charity but also what fantastic work your Mentors do as well" - Parent of child "We ended the session by discussing new things we can learn together. We have decided to learn one new French word and teach this word to each other in our next session. We are also going to explore information about an animal we have never previously heard of and teach each other about that too. taught me loads of things about animals including the fact that spiders do not have eyelids." -Mentor