Back to school: building resilience & supporting families in need

Getting back to school after 5 months will become very stressful and challenging for many children and families involved in our programmes. Here’s a summary of the range of support delivered by Big Hearts ahead of the reopening of Edinburgh schools next week.

Tips to build resilience

The City of Edinburgh Council has developed a series of ‘Back to School Tips’ in consultation with the Parent and Carer Support Collaborative to help families prepare ahead of the return to schools from Wednesday 12th August onwards.

These simple tips are designed to facilitate a smooth transition for both the children and the parents/carers and maintain a positive wellbeing.

Big Hearts is currently sharing these advice to families and pupils involved in our ‘School’s Out!’ project and Kinship Care programme.

> Download the Guide for Families

Schools uniforms 

Big Hearts’ Family Support Officer is helping local families living in financial hardship to ensure children can start the new school year with the required clothing & footwear.

Over 12 families have been referred by our charity to Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which provides pupils with free sets of jumpers, polos/shirts and trousers/skirts.

Food provisions 

We have been working with primary schools in South West Edinburgh to tackle food insecurities during the summer holidays.

Over 120 local children, many of them registered to free school meals during term time, have been receiving weekly food parcels throughout the official ‘school break’ period. The last deliveries will take place on the weekend of 8/9 August.

> More info about our summer holidays activity

Big Hearts Helplines

Our staff team is available to answer questions on parenting and provide advice on support services available in the community.

Kinship Care Helpline: 0131 603 4927 – kinship@bighearts.org.uk

Community Helpline: 0131 603 4928 – community@bighearts.org.uk

> Download our Helplines contact info