8th June

Charity Campaign to help Families Deal with Recession
Parentline Plus is boosting its support for parents struggling to cope with the effects of the recession, thanks to £150,000 of government funding.

The parenting charity is launching a local radio advertising campaign on 85 stations across England and distributing a free recession advice pack to people calling its helpline.

It also published research today (8 June) showing that almost nine out of 10 families are having to make cutbacks because of the recession.

A fifth of parents are spending more time working and less time with their family to make ends meet, according to the survey by YouGov for Parentline Plus. And two-fifths of parents said financial strains had hit the quality of their children's lives.

As well as the advertising campaign and information pack, Parentline Plus is using the funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families to send one million leaflets on beating the recession to places visited by parents, such as schools and children's centres.

Parentline Plus chief executive Jeremy Todd said: "I urge anyone who feels like the recession is taking its toll, or is struggling to cope with normal family life, to get in touch."

source: Gordon Carson, Children & Young People Now

2nd June

Safer Together
Child Safety Week generates substantial media coverage for practical safety advice and – by providing free resources to community-based staff and organisations – acts as a catalyst for thousands of local safety activities and events, which reach millions of children and families UK-wide. It also opens doors to local partnership working, encouraging organisations to work together for child accident prevention.

In the weeks leading up to the launch visit www.capt.org.uk/csweek this is where you can find all the news, updates, latest resources, research, quizzes and competitions that help you to make Child Safety Week a success.  So add this page to your bookmarks or favourites and let us help you with your planning by checking the latest Child Safety Week news. 

The theme for Child Safety Week 22nd June to 28th June 2009 is ‘Safer together’.  Whether you are a parent, a teacher, childminder or working in a role that involves caring for children, we all have a part to play, no matter how small.  By working together as a family, alongside parents, with community groups or directly with children we can protect children and young people from serious injury and death from preventable accidents.

You may be planning something simple such as a talk for children about being safer when they are out and about, making simple changes at home such as keeping hot drinks or saucepans out of children’s reach, or organising a local event with fire safety officers' demonstrations of accident prevention, every little bit helps.  Whatever your plans we will be providing you with the information and knowledge you need to make a difference.