WELCOME
This year 2020/21 has been a year like no other, as everyone adapted to connecting virtually and embraced a whole new way of living and working.
The recurring theme throughout this year for COVEY was how we continued to add colour to lives in new and innovative ways as we demonstrated that we certainly were NOT ON MUTE!
In this year of significant challenge and change, we have been encouraged by the continued commitment and professionalism from our Board and staff, volunteers, funders and partners in the face of significant adversity for our communities.
RHODA REID
Chief Executive
EMMA KENNEDY
COVEY Chair
FLEXIBLE & RESPONSIVE
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23
new
volunteers
We have continued to recruit and train new volunteers. This year a total of 102 volunteers were involved with COVEY. We are so grateful to each one of them!
210
young
people
Each one of our 210 young people have benefitted from the input and support of COVEY through this year. "It is great to have support from COVEY and know we’re not alone" Parent
The strong, trusting and reliable befriending relationships continued over the year, enabling our young people to feel connected, knowing COVEY was there for them and their families.
88
parent/carers
directly supported
Throughout lockdown, families experienced additional trauma and financial challenges, needing an increased level of support from our staff.
17
different projects
many partners
Our funding partnerships are hugely significant for us as a community. We built strong and trusting relationships with many more professional partners in Lanarkshire as we worked together for the young people and families we support.
912
hours of
volunteering
Our volunteers gave the equivalent of over 100 days of time to add colour to lives. We also provided 6 student placements during the year, with our first Social Work student making valuable strategic connections for COVEY.
7198
young people
group hours
Much of life suddenly started happening on Zoom! We are grateful for the way staff, volunteers and young people responded to that change. We also spent considerable additional time on the phone supporting our children and young people, and their parents.
2505
telephone
support calls
Telephone calls were often needed almost daily with some lasting over 90 minutes. Additional calls to other agencies and social work were over and above this, as we regularly advocated for our families.
211
COVEY
deliveries
Through the year we delivered 107 care packs to families to help with well-being. 104 food packs were distributed and essential items such as microwaves provided.
3599
group places
for young people
Young people adapted quickly to meeting through Zoom. Staff delivered packs with six weeks’ activities supplies at a time, enabling each young person to regularly take part.
2624
hours of support to parents/carers
The personal support offered to parent/carers was a life-line. They were supported to attend their GP and access crisis help and other specialist services.
123
staff well-being
meetings
We continued to support our staff in their professional development and well-being. Here's a flavour of some of the staff well-being times: Ready Steady Relax, Yoga Yahoo, Karaoke, Soup Success, Lash Dash, Mindfulness and Grasp yer Gaelic!
406
one-to-one volunteer
contacts
Each one of our young people have benefitted from the input and support of COVEY through this year as we have helped to reduce social isolation.
ADDING COLOUR TO LIVES
At times COVEY was the only support that families had through the difficult times and we saw an increase in the challenges that families faced, with many needing more intensive help and support.
Click on the images to read or hear their stories.
COVEY ACTIVITIES
We supported significant change, were able to stand strong as an organisation and have been involved in seeing futures change for those in our communities through our activities over the year.
Here are some of our many COVEY activities
1.THRIVING ON-LINE
Some individuals have particularly shone during this time. One young person who has missed a lot of schooling due to sensory issues has thrived. They are a lot happier and has shown to be far in advance of his years academically. The young people have been much more engaged in the group while on zoom and have been very thoughtful and supportive of others having difficulty online.
STRATEGICALLY CONNECTED
We are grateful to our funders, partner agencies and above all the fantastic staff and volunteers who have connected with children, young people and families; many continuing remotely through lockdown.
We continued to develop our services in South and North Lanarkshire, forging strong strategic connections in line with our three-year strategic plan.
For every person involved with COVEY we seek to achieve:
Growth in confidence
Improved well-being
Reduced social isolation
Improved and Sustained self-esteem
Increased interests and skills
our mission
Through strong trusting relationships we support children, young people and families to become more resilient, safe and better equipped to reach their full potential; we add colour to lives.
our vision
Children, young people and families live happy fulfilled lives.
our values
Commitment: Giving of our best
Openness: Communicating authentically and truthfully
Respect: Valuing the individual
Innovation: Providing creative solutions
Passion: Caring deeply
our outcomes
For every person involved with COVEY we seek to achieve:
Growth in confidence
Improved well-being
Reduced social isolation
Improved and Sustained self-esteem
Increased interests and skills
Looking to the year ahead we will continue to adapt and respond to change as we seek to increase the number of people we work with while continuing to improve, and provide an exceptional service.
We want to authentically demonstrate our values and continue to give opportunity for the voices of children, young people and parent/carers to be heard in the year ahead.