Why?
As contact arrangements were restarting following Covid-19 lockdown, personal protective equipment (PPE) was used to protect from infection in Contact Centres. Some younger children were afraid of PPE and Southampton wanted a tool to discuss PPE with children to familiarise them with it and reduce fear.
What did they do?
To support younger children who were scared of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, Head of Service, Julian Watkins, worked with professional illustrator Michelle Ribello-Tindall to create a beautifully illustrated short story booklet about a character called Little Bear. The booklet explains why adults may wear PPE during family time to keep Little Bear safe.
Southampton also had a donation of a knitted bears wearing PPE from Bournemouth’s Townswomen’s guild to go with the story.
What difference did it make?
The booklets were well received by both children and professionals, with many adults saying it eased the pressure of explaining things to children and helped children to understand in a way that works for them.
The booklets are now being shared with carers who are keen to use these with their foster children to reduce anxieties around PPE, to make family time as positive as possible.