The medical vulnerability of Linden Lodge pupils means that Covid-19 poses a huge threat. Being blind, pupils cannot socially distance and are totally reliant on touch for learning and communication. The majority depend on adults to meet all their personal care needs and this type of care is high risk for both the person being cared for and their carer. Many parents have had to stop carers visiting the house, who would usually offer much needed respite. Looking after a child who is blind, quadriplegic and cannot communicate is hugely challenging, but when combined with lockdown it becomes an incredible test.
The school itself is preparing to reopen eventually under very different and restrictive circumstances. Plans are under way for a complete overhaul of much of the school's structure and arrangements so as to minimise infection risk, and widespread use of PPE will be necessary once supplies can be secured. The school is also currently offering a great deal of online support and interactive teaching to those pupils and their families who can access it.
There are immediate very urgent needs which this Covid19 Appeal will help to fund.
Linden Lodge Charitable Trust has already distributed £100 vouchers to each of the 53 Linden Lodge families of pupils eligible for free school meals (about a third of all pupils) to purchase urgently needed hygiene and personal care items and basic supplies. We would like to be able to repeat this as often as we can in the coming months as needed.
Funds raised will also be used to purchase specialist multi-sensory toys and items to help pupils whilst they are shielding in lockdown, many with limited or no access to outdoor space. For example, sensory glitter tubes, therapy fidget toys, pressure therapy chairs, weighted scarves and blankets, tactile blankets, special needs toys with lights and sound, chewy tubes. These items will make a huge difference to pupils and range in price from £10 to £210 each.
The School's existing ball pool room, while hugely popular with pupils, is too difficult to keep clear of potential infection so we are seeking to raise £20,000 for its reconfiguration into a multi-sensory room which will provide a calming, relaxing and fun space for all.
The needs of Linden Lodge and its pupils are greater now than they have ever been in the charity's 30 years existence, and we hope you will be able to support us in these extraordinary times.
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