Ark partners with Little Good Deed to support parents during the lockdown

Ark is delighted to be one of the partners supporting the Little Good Deed campaign, which aims to encourage people to reach out and help parents of babies and young children who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many families are finding things hard – financially, socially, and emotionally and may face barriers to getting the help they need. The initiative aims to raise awareness of some of the struggles parents are experiencing and reduce the stigma they might feel around asking for and accepting help. Little Good Deed has a simple ask – if a parent or carer you know might be struggling, reach out and do them a #LittleGoodDeed.

We support this campaign as working with parents of young children is an important area for us, which is why we launched Ark Start, a pilot early years programme providing high quality, affordable childcare to families. The programme helps parents engage with their children’s nursery experience and access the wider support and services they need. As part of a coalition of individuals and organisations focused on ensuring children get the best start in life, Ark Start also aims to shape broader policy and funding decisions on early years provision.

Venessa Willms, Director of Primary Education at Ark, said: “Parents of babies and very young children have never been more isolated. Some are without their extended family support; they might be dealing with loss, or unable to access the resources they need to become the parents they want to be. We are delighted to partner with Little Good Deed and support a positive response to the pandemic. We hope to encourage as many as possible to play their part – big or small and help a parent in their community.”

Other partners supporting the campaign are: Action for Children, Barnardo’s, Best Beginnings, Cattanach, Easy Peasy, First 1001 Days Movement, For Baby’s Sake, Home Start, I Can, Kids Matter, National Literacy Trust, NSPCC, People, Save the Children and The Childhood Trust.

Find out more about Little Good Deed here: www.littlegooddeed.org.uk