The COVID-19 global pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on individuals and communities. Youth volunteering has an important role to play as part of society’s response to this issue. To help young people to volunteer in response to COVID-19 the Alec Dickson Trust set up a call for applications in May. 

One of the successful applicants, Oak Church, a youth focused church in Stevenage, has shared their story below of how they used funding from the Alec Dickson Trust:

“In the midst of lockdown, we had a vision to lift morale for young people in local secondary schools who are vulnerable or who are children of key workers by giving them a free ‘isolation pack’ containing sweet treats, a soft drink, a game, a book, toiletries/beauty products and a card with an encouraging message. At the time of applying to the Alec Dickson Trust, we’d done this in two local schools and were in contact with a third. With help of funding from ADT, we were able to gift isolation packs to 94 students that were still attending Marriotts School in Stevenage during lockdown, delivering them on 22nd May 2020.”

Bethany Honnor, Head Teacher at Marriotts School said of the project:

“Thank you for the delivery of the packs today for the children of key workers at Marriotts School. I can confirm that a number of packs have been given to some students today, with the remainder being distributed the first week back after half term. On behalf of the children and their families, I would like to pass on our thanks and gratitude to you and all at the Oak Church, Stevenage for this very generous offer. We have some very excited children!”