Dear Parents

Reading for pleasure is known to be a great support to children as they adjust to new circumstances, and we hope that during these difficult times, every child in your school will be encouraged to keep reading, partly to develop their skills and interests, but also for well-being and happiness.

Knowing that the majority of children will be dependent on online resources for their learning has prompted a huge and generous response from publishers, authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers, who have relaxed copyright restrictions and made many more of their books and accompanying resources available online.

We would like to suggest the following key websites which provide regularly updated lists of resources either by subject or age-group, or as a daily selection of book-related events to help parents plan stories into their timetable.

Harrow Libraries.  Did you know that public libraries don’t just offer books for loan, but also provide online services, audio books and ebooks free of charge?  During lockdown three public libraries will be open, for click and collect services and IT facilities only.  Further details of services and opening times being offered at Pinner, Stanmore and Wealdstone libraries can be found at:  https://www.harrow.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-affecting-libraries

In addition to books, free online resources are available to all library members which include audio and ebooks, newspapers and reference materials.  There is also a toolkit for parents offering a range of resources to help with homework and reading, links to information on health and well-being, cultural activities such as virtual museum tours and free online theatre productions.  If you and your children are not yet members, join now by completing the online form on the Harrow Council website:  https://www.harrow.gov.uk/libraries/join-library 

Words for Life is a very useful site for parents with tips on how to help your children with reading and learning.  Created by the National Literacy Trust parents, children and young people can find activities and suggestions for improving their language, literacy and communication skills from home https://wordsforlife.org.uk/parent-support/ 

Finally, the Book Trust’s Hometime Hub arranges reading resources for families by age group and provides a summary what’s on guide for every day of the week.  Look here for free online books, videos, games, book-themed quizzes, activities, story times and draw-alongs: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/fun-at-home-with-authors-and-illustrators/

We would like to recommend an excellent free e-book for children aged 5-9 about the Coronovirus outbreak and the importance of hygiene.  Illustrator Axel Scheffler who illustrated The Gruffalo, commented, “I think it is extremely important for children and families to have access to good and reliable information in this unprecedented crisis, and I hope that the popularity of the books I’ve done with Julia Donaldson will ensure that this digital book will reach many children who are now slightly older, but might still remember our picture books.”  https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus_ABookForChildren.pdf

We are a community interest company dedicated to supporting the Romanian community.  We can also assist East European families but we only speak English and Romanian.

Below you will find a flyer describing our services that include a Food Hub, information and advice as well as signposting and referral.

All our services are provided FREE of charge.

We have also included explanations in Romanian on how to register to a GP and Covid information also in Romanian form the Mayor of London and Harrow Council pages:

https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Romanian-Covid19-Guidance.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kLBIsafPGg&feature=youtu.be

https://www.facebook.com/lbharrow/videos/720999975428941

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

All the best wishes

Dorina and Olimpia
RCCT CIC

Phone: 07311 488 110
Email: office@rcct.uk
Web: https://rcct.uk