In January 2020 Milford Haven School were asked by the LA to design a pilot project proposal, aimed at further supporting some of the most vulnerable families in the Milford Haven catchment area through what was perhaps the most challenging and difficult stage of the pandemic so far.
The MCA project aimed to help up to 100 families across the cluster who were experiencing financial hardship, required additional support from local services, or whose children care for other family members. There was a variety of practical support given in an attempt to help families improve their circumstances both in the short term, and also guidance to help them build for a brighter future.
Resources shared included food packs, the provision of slow cookers, healthy cook books and live cookery sessions, educational activity packs for children, IT resources for pupils without access to digital devices, budgeting tools, and signposting to helpful organisations.
One of the unique aspects of this project is the widespread engagement across Milford Haven, with referrals being made by all schools and selected support services within the area, plus local businesses and groups pledging their support to the project enabling us to maximise our reach. Milford Haven Rotary Club were the first external local group to contribute to the project, committing to assisting with the weekly delivery of meal packs as well as generously donating 30 slow cookers to be given to families in need. This collaborative approach is vital to enrich the experience of those families taking part, as well as strengthening community links. The initial feedback we received from the project draft plan was that people immediately saw the value in what we were trying to achieve, and many local residents were keen to be more involved in their community and wanted to help but didn’t know how or where to start. By offering a platform for local people to become more involved in their own community we have increased the capacity for those in a position to help to get involved. Although the project ultimately ended when funding ran out, the networking that has taken place will no doubt leave a lasting impact and sustainable footprint for future joint working within the school community.
Headteacher of Milford Haven School, Ms Ceri-Ann Morris, said: “We are immensely proud to support this project and utilise the school facilities to help our community. Schools are at the heart of every community, they are the common link that ties everyone in the community together. Everyone knows someone connected to the school, and the work of Miss Baker (Milford Haven School) together with Dayle Gibby will be the driving force in getting resources out to the people most in need within our catchment area.”
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning, said: “Once again Milford Haven School and Milford Youth Matters are demonstrating the fantastic things that can be achieved when you work with others for the benefit of the local community. Gemma Baker and Dayle Gibby continue to find ways to seize opportunities as they arise and make great things happen in Milford – they are excellent ambassadors and role models for not just young people but everyone in our community.”
To date the MCA project has given out:
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45 slow cookers
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45 slow cooker cook books
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682 meal ingredient packs with recipe cards
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108 children’s breakfast packs
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67 pancake baking kits- plus links to online cooking demonstrations
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42 KS1 and KS2 sports activity packs- provided by Sport Pembrokeshire
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675 information packs on local services such as MIND (mental health charity) and the support they offer locally, PPS, PAVS, CAB, AFC/ Young Carers, Routes to Opportunity & MYM etc.
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87 Feminine Hygiene Packs
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31 Male Hygiene Packs
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6 laptops and 4 tablets (including sim cards and dongles for internet access where required)
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43 numeracy games for KS1 and KS2
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10 dart board with numeracy challenge packs
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12 Literacy games
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Over 300 children’s books
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15 family games
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75 Magnetic meal planners- to support meal planning and budgeting within the home
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75 shopping list pads- again to support with budgeting and meal planning
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80 glass milk bottles for the local farm shop milk dispenser
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80 £5 vouchers to be used at the local farm shop on milk and fresh produce
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24 stationery packs
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23 spring cleaning packs
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20 reusable water bottles for school pupils
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30 uniform packs, including polo shirts/ school jumpers etc
How have we shared our good practice?
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The school has made online presentations to senior members of PCC and also at the local Headteachers’ cluster meeting
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Presentations have been given virtually for local organisations and groups involved in / looking to become involved in the project, such as the Rotary Club, W.I and Inner Wheel
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Press releases have been issued to promote the project and share this good practice of joint working with other local catchment areas