Embracing technology, and change
In grappling with the immensity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the keywords for us are agility, adaptation and innovation.
Our team has been using technology since the school closures to maintain contact with our communities, identify the most pressing needs and address them as best we can.
Some of our clients were in the process of therapy when lockdown began and schools closed - so our first priority was to make personal contact with each client to discuss their needs, to give them tools to cope and the emergency numbers to contact should it be necessary.
While we are physically distant we maintain personal contact through supportive telephone calls with learners, parents and educators and we offer therapeutic tele-counselling where necessary. At the request of the Department of Social Development we have extended this service to other communities in the Western Cape during the COVID-19 period.
Our team crafted a series of digital content focusing on self care, well-being and fun activities to reduce anxiety and promote family bonds during lockdown. Not all of our school communities have access to data but we have been able to share regular content with 695 educators, 6 930 parents and 5 168 learners through the channels of school social media and school whatsapp groups.
We are currently developing a range of materials, including webinars, to support educators in preparing to return to school and dealing with the emotional and psychological effect of trauma.
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