Schools & Charities Partnership Research Findings

Thank you for taking part in our recent survey on charities. This research was carried out on behalf of the following three charities:

1. The Weldmar Hospice

2. Kidney Research UK

3. The Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership

All are looking for ways to strengthen their relationship with schools like yours. The feedback you gave on the resources you'd value, fundraising suggestions and support for more volunteering were all insightful, valuable and gratefully received.

Classroom Voice made a small donation for every survey completion we received. Thanks to you...

· British Red Cross

· NHS Charities Together

· Oxfam Coronavirus Emergency Response Appeal

....received a total of £564.00 from this research piece.

What did we find out?

We asked how charities could play a role in supporting children's return to school. Here's just a small selection of your comments and feedback:

"(We'd like) much clearer information that is relevant to our particular age group that allows us to alleviate fears and be hopeful rather than always scary …"

"Many young people and their families are experiencing anxiety and alienation during this pandemic. Many teachers and support staff are also experiencing stress and anxiety, aggravated by … schools' phased re-opening."

"Mental health is a major concern and possibly also families dealing with bereavement. Financial concerns will also have an impact. Our support teams are working very hard to keep communicating with and supporting children."

The over-riding concern right now is the impact of Covid-19 on children's mental health, with some mentioning the emotional wellbeing of staff, too. Although a few said you had been offered sufficient support already, most would welcome additional support.

Alongside this is a lesser, but nonetheless an important need for practical information, kit, sanitisers and help with social distancing at school.

A large number are concerned about children who have suffered a bereavement and are turning to charities for help with counselling services, age-appropriate resources and training for staff. Many families are suffering financial hardship, and from some there was a plea for help for your community.

With many children still at home, there is continued interest in home learning resources, or indeed, any learning resources that are relevant to the curriculum or PSHE.

We also asked what schools could do to help charities, also struggling under the dual burden of greater demand for their services, but a reduction in fundraising and donations.

This was a tough question, which understandably – under the current circumstances – you found hard to answer. Many of you reiterated your commitment to resume fundraising once schools re-opened, but many of you added the caveat that it wouldn't be appropriate to ask hard-pressed families to donate at the moment. Here's just a small selection of your creative responses to Covid:

· One school is reaching for the moon: "We are supporting The Trussell Trust through lockdown by seeing how far we can get through running, walking and cycling. The girls and parents can also donate money for the charity, with each amount also being converted into miles. We are seeing if we can reach the moon!"

· Another had mobilised the support of their parish priest, by sponsoring 26,000 steps around his church.

· At yet another school, pupils were coming up with their own sponsorship challenges. "They have been charged with raising £100 for a charity of their choice. One student has raised £1000 in a week"

One of the messages that came through time and again is the reciprocal relationship between schools, the community they serve, and your local charities. Based on this research, it seems that these relationships will be increasingly meaningful as schools and charities play a vital role in helping students cope with the anxiety, alienation and stress of the ongoing pandemic, and supporting the gradual return to normality.

Not all responses could be coded, but we have read them all and will share them with the charities who have sponsored this research. We know that they are keen to do all they can to support schools like yours.

At Classroom Voice, too, we're also doing all we can to support schools like yours over the months ahead, and we're looking for new ways to incentivise our research and reward you for your time. If you have any comments or ideas on how to do even better, let us know.

Your feedback matters.