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RESPONSE TO
COVID-19
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated a deep inequality in society that RECLAIM has been working to address for over a decade.
As the country went into lockdown, there was a glaring divide between those who were required to continue working and those who could stay at home - highlighting how dependent and indebted the country is to working-class communities.
These working-class young leaders tell us how proud they are of their family and friends who are keeping the country going when everyone else has to stay home.
"If things go back to 'normal' - what have we really learnt?"
Our experiences of lockdown are shaped by class, with COVID-19 proving that:
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Internet is now a utility, not a luxury - some working-class young people now find themselves cut-off with no Wi-Fi or computer at home.
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Wages are a poor measure of hard work, skill and service.
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Working-class people drive Britain but we don't get to steer it.
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We are as strong as the society we live in.
In response, RECLAIM's young people launched their latest Manifesto.
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Our response
RECLAIM has been proactive from the very beginning putting measures in place to ensure all our young leaders and their families were fully supported. We have worked tirelessly to move much of our work online and create new forms of support. This includes:
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Sourcing remote counselling for those struggling with their mental health.
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Securing funding for laptops for those without access to a device.
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Establishing daily online sessions for young people to support one another with schoolwork and wellbeing advice.
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Developing a youth voice movement where marginalised young people demand a say in their future.
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Providing art and learning resource packs for all the young people we support.
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Creating the ‘Working Class Room’ - online learning sessions so young people don’t fall behind.
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Helping young people create a campaign to thank the essential workers in their lives who are taking great risks to help keep the country going.
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Developing plans with partners to create an exhibition of the art, activism and other work young people create during lockdown.
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Helping young people to brief the media on the need for the government to help all young people get online.