How Hartlepool has spread a little happiness into the lives of 100-plus children

Spread a Little Sunshine is a project led by Hartlepool Carers to help carers and families of children with additional needs during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

Christine Fewster, chief executive officer with Hartlepool Carers, explained: “Since the outbreak began, we have been working hard to ensure all unpaid carers across the town have access to the right support and information during lockdown.

“Working with young carers and families of children with additional needs and disabilities, it has become very apparent that some families are finding it challenging to occupy their children and maintain positive family relationships.

“Also, many carers across the town have been self-isolating for a number of weeks to protect their loved ones who they are caring for. This has limited their access to activities and resources.

“As we progress through this lockdown, it is clear our communities’ wellbeing and mental health are now being impacted.

“Spread a Little Sunshine, which is aimed at young carers from 5 years old and children who have special educational needs and disabilities, aims to address this.”

Families can be nominated to receive a pack of activities and resources which includes garden games (football, mini golf, badminton sets, beach balls, etc), sensory toys and materials, arts and crafts,

mindfulness activities, yoga for kids and Easter eggs.

Hartlepool Carers has received funding from 1 Hart, 1 Mind, 1 Future, which is Hartlepool’s recognised parent-led forum for children with special education needs and disabilities, as well as donations from Middleton Grange

Shopping Centre, the town’s Co-operative funeral home and Sainsburys plus support from Poundland.

Hartlepool Borough Council has also supported the initiative by offering drivers from the new Hartlepool Support Hub to distribute the packs.

Ms Fewster added: “We are so grateful to all organisations for their support and I’d like to give a special mention to the drivers provided by the Council who have enabled us to get the packs out really quickly.”

She said Hartlepool Carers hoped to continue providing packs throughout the lockdown period although this depended upon the availability of funding.

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