Youth Survival Kit – South Reading
Staying Connected
These are some ways in which you can stay connected with trained youth mentors and other young people during the Covid19 season. Although everyone’s talking about social distancing, the aim is actually physical distancing, its really important for our well-being that we all stay connected to those who are good for us during this time.
Remote Mentoring
Mentoring over video chat, phone call or email for anyone aged 11-19 who is in education or aged 15-25 who is not in education, employment or training. Visit their page to find out more and register.
Berkshire Youth
Duke of Edinburgh Award - Virtual Mentoring
If you are 14 or over, Berkshire Youth now runs an e-Duke of Edinburgh Award programme you can take part in, where participants are virtually mentored BYs youth workers. There is small cost to this program but funding may be available – contact Berkshire Youth for more information on this email ID:
admin@berkshireyouth.co.uk
0118 909 0927
Don’t know much about the Duke of Edinburgh Award? Find out more on dofe.org/ yet another brilliant thing to take part in during this season!
Social Media Challenge
Combating Social Isolation
Starting Point Instagram run social challenges – combating social isolation, reducing boredom, teaching new skills and connecting the community. Visit us on:
startingpoint.org.uk/news/social-media-challenges/
Follow us on Instagram: @startingpointreading
Stay Healthy and Sane
During lockdown we’re all facing stresses and challenges that could have a negative effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. There’s lots we can do to stay healthy and sane during these times. Here are some things you can try.
Get Out and Get Fit
Cycle tracker
During covid19 lock-down while we are able to get out for some exercise once day, why not take the opportunity to get your stamina and fitness up.
Friends of ours use the free Strava app, a brilliant and free way to track the distances you are running or cycling. You can also set yourself challenges and win awards and medals for the distances you have covered.
Head to your app store to download it onto your mobile phone.
But don’t forget, you can only excercise with a member of your own household and you must stay at least 2m away from everyone you meet.
Stop, Breathe & Think
Easy to do mindfulness
Stop, Breathe & Think is a FREE mindfulness and meditation app intended to help you cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Designed with young people in mind its a great tool that could make a real difference to your experience of this season.
You can find out more on their website: www.my.life
Head to the app store or google play to download the app to your device.
SuperBetter
An app that helps build resilience in a time of change.
We loved this app, its helps to build resilience – the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of change and difficult challenges – just what we need in this season!!
Playing SuperBetter unlocks heroic potential to overcome tough situations and achieve goals that matter most – sounds great hey?!
Visit their website to find out more about the app-game www.superbetter.com
Head to the app store or google play to download the app to your device.
Boost Your Skills
This season is a brilliant opportunity to skill yourself up and prepare yourself for your future, on your own terms. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Action Media
Media Training Community
Action Media is a young person led production company that will be offering online training and setting tasks around camera work, digital media and marketing.
Follow us on Instagram @actionmedia
find out more on startingpoint.org.uk/news/action-media-training/
Opportunities
Employment and Training
Our aim is to help young people aged 16-18 (up to 25 for SEND and Care Leavers) to make informed career choices about their future.
Free online courses that you can complete in 6 weeks, in health and social care, construction and engineering, accountancy, hospitality and catering and hair and beauty.
Current apprenticeships are available in:
Childcare, retail store, business and administration, IT support desk engineer, hairdressing, and gardening.
For more information email elevate@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
or call: 07929178133
Generation Code </>
Digital Skills
UK Youth in partnership with Microsoft brings to you Generation Code </>. It is a great, hands-on opportunity for young people to create and explore coding. Take inspiration from Code Champions aged 16-25 who have skilled up and are now delivering sessions for young people aged 11-19 in their communities.
Visit these guys at:
The Appliance of Science!
Get ahead of the pack
Here are some sample videos from a range of science You Tube Channels recommended by members of my (Claire’s) Youth Group:Star Talk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Science Class with Mark Rober
Free Science Lessons – we think his name is Sean…?
School Work
Keeping Up!
Your school has everything in place to help you keep up and excel with your school work. You can do this on line or if you do not have internet access where you live, they have it all in paper form for you. Your teachers are all available to help you with your work either online or over the phone; similarly the support and student services team are also there to help. The school buildings might be closed to students and staff, but teaching and learning is still going on as normal.
If you haven’t received any information or resources from your school, this is because they have not been able to contact you. If this is the case PLEASE contact them so that you don’t miss out on your education or any support you need during this time.
John Madejski Academy – 0118 937 0200
Reading Girls School – admin@readinggirlsschool.net
All JMA students should have received a Knowledge Organiser Pack and there are further resources being prepared to send out to students.
If you are struggling in anyway with your work, please let someone at school know, and if this is not workable for you, contact one of the other support services on this page.
You Tube Bonanza #1
online Courses
Join the rest of the country at 9am for PE with Joe! Lets keep healthy!
Ever learnt a musical instrument? Well this is a great way to start with Myleen’s Music Klass – 10am after you’ve caught your breath!
Are you a budding chef? Why not follow Jamie’s new cooking skills course – there are 19 episodes.
Maths Lovers!
Get Stuck IN...
NRICH is an innovative mathematics learning platform where primary and secondary school aged students can develop a variety of skills such as mathematical thinking and problem solving with the help of games, activities, resources – all for FREE (and its provided by Cambridge University!).
Visit their website on: nrich.maths.org
The Prince's Trust
If you are 16 or over
The Prince’s Trust offers you useful skills, training and practical support to successfully get you into employment or even start your own business if you are over 16. You can also find resources and tools for building a CV, money management, creating business plans, etc. Visit their website on:
This is a great way to make this season count for you!
Duolingo
Get Fluent!
DuoLingo is a free language learning app offering 35 language courses including two fictional languages!
It is interactive, colourful and fun. Why not brush up on the language you’re learning for school or try a completely new one? Download their app or visit their website on:
Support Services
During these times, every young person should have all the support that they need. These services are here to help you and your friends when things get out of hand…. but before they get that bad, please don’t struggle on alone, get in touch and access the help you need.
Child Line
Supporting Kids and Young People
You can contact Childline about anything. Whatever your worry, it’s better out than in. These guys are there to support you and help you find ways to cope.
There are lots of different ways to get in touch with them. And you can also get help from other young people through their site.
Berkshire Womens Aid
Supporting Women, Children and Young People
Berkshire Women’s Aid exists to support children and young people who have been or are being confronted by domestic abuse.
If you or someone you know needs support getting out of an abusive relationship or you just want to talk to someone, then contact BWA on our helpline:
0118 9504003 or helpline@bwaid.org.uk
If you just want to read more about this stuff and find out what support is available nationally you can also visit
Young Minds
Fighting for Young People's Mental Health
Visit youngminds.org.uk for a raft of information and resources to help you manage any issues you might be having with anxiety, depression or any other mental health difficulties. If you need urgent help you can text YM to 85258 for the Young Minds Crisis Messenger, a trained volunteer will respond to you.
Visit these guys on:
Local Youth Workers
We're still around
If for whatever reason you just want to talk to a youth worker, the following youth work organisations are still operating albeit not doing face to face youth work during this time. Call them up during the day on the following numbers:Berkshire Youth: 0118 909 0927
Shift Youth + Community: 0118 931 4747 (term time only, JMA students will recognise us from the ReSet Hub)
If you need to speak to someone outside of work hours,
please call Childline on 0800 1111
If you are in immediate danger please call 999.
County Lines
Fearless
Sadly not everyone has your best interests at heart. During this season it is expected that the demand for illegal drugs will rise and more young people will be recruited and coerced into doing drug runs/deliveries. If you are concerned about what someone has asked you to do, however attractive the payment, or if you are worried about a friend or a relative then here’s what you can do:
If something is happening that requires immediate action, call 999.
Otherwise you can visit www.fearless.org and use their anonymous contact form to let them know whats happening. Fearless is the youth branch of Crimestoppers which is an independent charity that enables anyone to speak up and stop crime anonymously. You will also find lots of information about various criminal activities, how to recognise them and what to do to keep yourself and others safe.
If you would like to speak to someone about your experience, then contact Childline, a local youth worker or mentor or any trusted adult who is outside of the situation.
Free School Meals
How to Get Your Vouchers
If you have been having Free School Meals at school, your school will provide you with vouchers that will allow you to purchase the equivalent of one meal a day from a named local supermarket. If you haven’t received this its most likely because the school doesn’t have your most up to date contact details – so don’t hesitate, give the school a call:John Madejski Academy – 0118 937 0200
Reading Girls School – admin@readinggirlsschool.net
If you or your household are struggling to access food, whether or not you are eligible for free school meals, you can contact the One Reading Community Support Hub on 0808 1894325 or visit reading.gov.uk/coronavirussupport They will be able to refer you for a food parcel or other help.
Other Useful Information
During this time, some of the basic systems might not work in their usual way. Here are some contact details that you may find useful yourself or for your household.
Gas and Electricity
No Stress for Prepay or Smart Meters
Phone your supplier if you have a prepay meter tell them your self isolating and they will send you out 2 weeks worth of gas / electricity or if you have a smart meter they will top you up. Here are their numbers:
BRITISH GAS 0333 202 9802
EDF 0333 200 5100
EON 0345 052 000
N POWER 0800 073 3000
SCOTTISH POWER 0800 027 0072
SSE 0345 026 2658
Corona Virus
understanding the enemy
Corona Virus, the reason for the season!
We have gathered some of the clearest information we could find for you on the pandemic that we are all living through.
Here is a scientific video that explains how the virus works, what it does in our bodies and how we can combat it:
How to read information about Covid19 like a scientist and not get duped!
Beat Hunger
Ways you can get help
If you do not have enough food for everyone in your household, there is plenty of help out there!If you live in Whitley contact the Whitley Community Development Association at cd@whitley-cda.org or call them on 07799 146615 to explain your situation.
You can also contact the One Reading Community Support Hub on 0808 1894325 or visit
reading.gov.uk/coronavirussupport
They will be able to refer you for a food parcel or other help.