The UK’s largest children’s charity ‘Boloh’ aims to support vulnerable Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children and families negatively affected by Covid-19 ahead of the four-week national lockdown.
‘Boloh’ is a word used in many languages including Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati, meaning 'speak' or to be invited to speak and Barnado’s fear that children who have been hit hardest by Covid-19, could experience increased challenges to their emotional health and wellbeing, as England enters a four-week national lockdown. The helpline will also signpost queries to a range of different organisations such as Citizen Advice, which can help with families experiencing financial problems, and also to local community groups.
According to research published by the Resolution Foundation, BAME workers are more likely to be made unemployed post-furlough. A survey of 6,000 adults found over one in five BAME workers who were furloughed during lockdown were unemployed in September, compared to 9% for the general population.
Barnardo’s CEO, Javed Khan, said, “I know from personal experience that families in Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Black people are four times more likely to die of the virus compared to white people, while Covid-19 and recession are worsening existing inequalities. As a result, children are suffering bereavement, mental health problems and fear for the future - yet many remain hidden from essential support services and have been left to suffer in silence.”
The helpline number for children from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds is 0800 151 2605 or visit https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk
