A PROJECT is working to make sure Flintshire families still have access to key counselling services during coronavirus crisis

Action for Children’s Flintshire Family Project has been working flat out to keep crucial lines of communication open with the families they support across the county.

The Mold-based project works with children, young people and their families who have suffered trauma in their lives and by providing an individual counselling service or family therapy as a whole package depending on the issues being faced.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant adjusting quickly to social distancing and isolation measures to maintain this critical family service.

Pam Pritchard, Practice Team Manager for the project, said: "We are now offering one-to-one sessions by telephone, Skype and Microsoft Teams. Skype and Teams are good for whole family work and we have been able to work with young people using art and crafts and storytelling. We are now looking at how we could do some small group work with our young people and support groups for parents.

"The project is ensuring that we are meeting as many of the needs as possible either by giving advice and guidance or information about other services when necessary These are very difficult times with young people and families living in environments where there is challenging behaviour ,domestic abuse parental mental ill health and loss, the stress of which is contributing to the risk of family breakdown.

"We have adapted our service to not only support the families we are currently working with but by liaising with partner agencies we are able contribute to a whole package of support. Staff are coming up with new ideas all of the time by listening to what the priorities are for our families."

Action for Children has also launched a UK-wide emergency appeal. The charity works with some of the most vulnerable children and families across the UK. With 476 services in communities across the country, Action for Children helps more than 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers a year.

Pam added: "Through fundraising we have been able to provide equipment for children and young people who have been struggling to access their education and have partners who have been able to provide us with foodbank vouchers. I’m extremely proud of how the team has adapted to this hugely challenging change of circumstances for everyone by maintaining a really high level of service to the families they proudly serve."

The charity is supporting families to cover the cost of basic essentials such as food, nappies, cleaning products and gas and electricity.

To support the emergency coronavirus appeal which will help families cover the cost of the basics visit actionforchildren.org.uk, call 0300 123 2112 or text ACTION to 70175 to give £10.