Richmond and Kingston Covid-19 Update: April 9

CHILD PROTECTION

I have been very worried this week about reports of an increase in child abuse during this difficult period. Many families are under additional stress now due to physical isolation, financial pressure and health problems, and this may lead to an abusive home environment. With schools closed and children kept at home there are few opportunities for other adults outside the family to observe a child, spot the signs of abuse, and seek help for them.

I have spoken today with Achieving for Children, who deliver children's services for both Richmond and Kingston boroughs. They have advised that anyone who has a concern about a child's well-being should immediately make a call to their Single Point of Access number.

The child himself/herself or another family member can also call this number directly themselves for help.

Achieving for Children's SPA number is 020 8547 5008.

NSPCC can also assist anyone who is concerned about a child's safety. All of their methods of contact can be found here.

Support for children who can and want to access it themselves is also available through Childline, either by calling 0800 1111 or visiting their website.

Please keep an eye out for a child who may be in an abusive home, and report any concerns to Achieving for Children's SPA number. In the current circumstances your eyes may be the only ones seeing the problem and you may be that child's only chance of getting help.

STAY HOME THIS WEEKEND

We will all be tempted to make the most of this holiday weekend, but I must ask you to make the most of it while staying in your home. Sunny or not, long weekend or not, the government advice remains the same: only go out for four reasons - essential work, essential shopping, one form of exercise per day, and medical needs (including caring for someone vulnerable.) I would like to clarify that sunbathing and picnics cannot form part of your daily exercise in a public space. You can only be in the parks if you are in the act of doing your daily exercise, or travelling through for one of the other named reasons. Police have been out recently to enforce this rule. Remember: exercise may be relaxing, but relaxing is not exercise.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

If you own a small business and are having financial trouble, sources of support include:

·Dept for BEIS: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/ · Business Support Helpline 0300 456 3565 · Government whatsapp service on 07860064422 · Enterprise Nation: https://www.enterprisenation.com/coronavirus-support/ · BT Skills for Tomorrow: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/ · Small Business Britain support: https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/coronavirus · Small Business Saturday for Facebook Live daily business support: https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturdayUK · The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs Business Survival Toolkit: