The health and wellbeing of our participants, volunteers and staff is our primary concern.

We are conscious that the young people who access our programmes are the ones who will be the first to suffer the implications of a shut down. It is vitally important we are able to offer our services to the young people of Bath and the surrounding area who are already suffering the effects of poverty, isolation and a lack of access to education. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis will only exacerbate the very real problems the children we work with face.

We are following Government and Public Health England guidance meaning our coaches are still delivering sessions at the Rec and in schools where they are open. This is under constant review.

While our timetable has changed, here’s how Bath Rugby Foundation coaches will be delivering sessions to those in need in the coming weeks.

Education

While the headline news in the media is that schools have closed, the reality is that some of our partner schools will remain open not only to the children of “key workers” but also for the most vulnerable children – those who rely on free school meals or education plans.

Our education team will be working in these secondary and primary schools to assist the staff, delivering sessions from our BOOST or Raising the Game programmes and acting as “teacher relief”. This means we will be able to provide direct delivery to the young people who will be most in need of our coaches’ help.

HITZ

Our employability programme is continuing, albeit as an online programme. Lecturers from our education partners, SCL, are continuing to deliver sessions and provide educational support without face-to-face contact with participants.

Bath Rugby Foundation staff will be offering participants enrichment opportunities they can enjoy at home, in the form of challenges and exercises. A series of “virtual enrichment” challenges will be shared in the coming weeks, for example recipe ideas which the participants can tackle and then share pictures of their creations, group Q&A discussions using What’s App and an Act of Kindness challenge.

Isolation will be a major issue for young people over the coming weeks. HITZ participants are always able to contact Bath Rugby Foundation staff for help and advice, whether academic or personal and the HITZ team are setting up daily timeslots where participants will have dedicated time to talk over any issues they may have. The HITZ Helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm on 07464 545296.

Can you help?

A small donation will help fund this vital work with vulnerable children and young people here in Bath. Like everyone, our income is under pressure at the present time. We are grateful for every single donation made.