Macleay families have received some much-needed help with keeping kids entertained during COVID-19 restrictions in the form of care packages thanks to the work of the Kempsey Healing Together Events Committee, of which Council is a member.
In addition to direct action Council has taken to help individuals and businesses during the pandemic, Council has been striving to help our community stay strong in the face of social distancing regulations and many added pressures. This has included developing the COVID-19 Community Support page at https://yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-support and extensive work with community groups to combine Council’s resources with their specialist knowledge.
The Kempsey Healing Together Events Committee – a partnership between local Aboriginal organisations as well as government and non-government organisations including Council – has produced hundreds of take-home activity packs to assist local families.
20 local organisations are involved in this initiative and members of the committee gathered materials and prepared and delivered take-home activity packs to around 300 families in Bellbrook as well as West, South and East Kempsey.
The packs include educational books and exercises, puzzles, colouring in activities, pens and paints. Kempsey Shire Libraries also donated children’s books for the packs.
Over the last five weeks, local services, working together, ensured the packs reached the most vulnerable families, including those living in financial hardship, fleeing domestic violence, in emergency accommodation and without internet access.
Council’s Community Projects Officer, Stephen Neale, said the packs were a way to help families during these challenging and uncertain times.
“While school is starting to go back and parents are starting to send kids back to daycare or preschool, there are still families who have their kids at home regularly,” he said.
“Trying to keep up with home schooling and keeping kids entertained outside of schoolwork has been tough for parents during COVID-19, particularly for those who were already facing hard circumstances.
“The committee thought this was a good way to help ease some of the pressure for parents or carers.”
