Educators stepping up to help southwest families during covid 19
Monday, 18 May 2020
Normally found in Mobile Learning Centres or classrooms, Queensland based educators Jessica and Natalie fronted for duty at relief organisation, Foodbank, this week.
Along with over 100 other educators, Jessica Caldwell and Natalie Nunan are responsible for delivering the Life Ed program but this month, are volunteering to help families facing hardship during COVID-19.
Collected groceries were bundled into hampers at Gailes Community House and distributed across Ipswich, Gailes, and Camira, to families who are doing it tough during the coronavirus.
With the pandemic forcing Life Ed to suspend face-to-face delivery of the children’s health and safety program for the first time since 1979 – a new online platform is offering video lessons on nutrition, physical health, cybersafety, friendships and respectful relationships.
Although preparing resources has kept them busy, the educators say they are pleased to give back to the community.
At Life Ed, we support families by teaching children about the importance of making safe and healthy choices for life, but for the time-being we need to find other ways to connect.
“It’s nice to be able to team up with other charities like Foodbank and Gailes Community House and work in collaboration to help the community.”
Gailes Community House coordinator Delphine Legros said support from Foodbank – which provides food for 815,000 Australians each month – and regular volunteers like Jessica and Natalie was vital.
“With so many people losing jobs because of the coronavirus restrictions, there’s a lot of hardship out there,” Ms Legros said. “We are seeing new faces each week. Families who wouldn’t normally need our help, are reaching out to put food on the table.
To have organisations like Life Ed step up and help us meet the demand for food hampers is just so appreciated.
The Life Ed team has adapted swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic with educators providing phone support for teachers and parents, as well as preparing the new online learning hub.
