Summer Camp

Covid-19 heightened the challenges many children and families already faced, with the loss of school, sports, parties and other social gatherings. Many children could not see or visit their grandparents and some of the vital supports that keep families safe disappeared in a flash. Some children and families reached a tipping point with increasing evidence of domestic abuse, neglect and financial hardship. The number of families requiring support with provision of basic food stuffs, payment of bills and requiring activity packs for their children increased exponentially.

Stress and anxiety also increased particularly for families with young people sitting exams as there was much uncertainty as to whether they would proceed, in what format and critically, how they would be scored. Conexus Care Aster Family Support Services rose to the challenge by providing activity packs to young children in their homes, zoom cooking lessons and support sessions to parents; food packs to families and payment of grinds for young people worried about exams.

When rules allowed, Conexus Care Aster Family Support Services arranged a number of outdoor summer activities and rain or shine, all went ahead with children and young people having a ball of a time. It was a real partnership of local agencies and the children really enjoyed the day the Gardai came to take part in their session.