Arty way to fight isolation in lockdown
Worried you’ll lose your job during the coronavirus crisis? Here are your rights and where to find help ...
A leading women’s group has been reaching out to women who’ve felt isolated and depressed due to the pandemic.
Sangini (a friend in Hindi) is helping women from Black Asian Minority Ethnic groups (BAME) in Sunderland and beyond who’ve found the pandemic psychologically and physically challenging.
Knock Knock, a well-being project, was established during the lockdown in 2020, after an outcry of BAME local women feeling helpless and struggling with mental health issues.
The project was designed to reach out and support BAME women through creativity, with the help of artists to express their emotions.
Advisory and meditation sessions are among a few that the project offers which is supported by specialists and medical professionals.
The six-month project funded by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, County Durham Community Foundation and Voice4Change was rolled out with Zoom sessions in which the women could discuss issues such as health inequalities, employment, finance and housing.
Craft packs were delivered to over 50 women from two women’s groups – Sunderland Women’s Art Group and Srijoni Women’s Group delivering nearly 100 workshops so far.
Through calligraphy, felting and creative workshops, delivered by local artists Roohia Syed Ahmed, Parvin Abdur and Lena Archbold, the women express their emotions and share personal experiences of survival.
AsmaBegum,Engagement Officer, said: “The project has proved to me that ‘mental health’ and depression still remains a taboo subject in the Asian community and we need to tackle it. We invited healthcare professionals to join us in the sessions which was a huge success and we now have separate sessions mainly focusing on health issues.”
Research has shown that lockdown has had a significant impact across the board but especially for the BAME community in comparison to other ethnic groups.
Participant Shakira Khatun said: “Free time is a time when people feel down and miserable. Engaging in these sessions has helped reduce stress levels and has given a sense of positive mental energy. The sessions are structured, and we learn new things each time despite our differences and are now like a family.”
Padma Rao, Project Manager at Sangini, said: “Knock
Knock has given the women a sense of identity, well-being and pride.
“Our aim was to help marginalised women experiencing isolation and depression from the BME community through arts and crafts. Five months on it has been a collective journey and this idea, that we are all in this together, has given everyone strength and hope. We learn, encourage, motivate and support each other.”
All women, but especially from the BAME community, are welcome to join the project. The sessions are held weekly online via zoom on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.
Funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, has also helped to support women in Sunderland and South Shields through Knock Knock.
Jobseekers will be offered coaching and advice
Jobseekers will be offered coaching and advice into ‘growing sectors’ as part of a £238m employment programme from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The governmentbacked Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) scheme aims to help people who are out of work because of coronavirus.
You’ll usually get a notice period
The length of the notice period can vary depending on what’s in your contract and how long you’ve been with the company. In some cases, your employer may give you a longer notice period, regardless of how long you’ve worked for them.
The furlough scheme has been extended
The Chancellor has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – which pays up to 80% of workers’ salaries who have been placed on furlough due to coronavirus – until the end of April 2021.
You’re entitled to a redundancy package
Redundancy pay depends on factors including what your contract says and what you agree to in your consultation. Everyone who has been with the business for two or more years is entitled to statutory redundancy, which is worked out based on how long you’ve worked at the company (up to a maximum of 20 years).
Being ‘at risk’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be made redundant
Redundancy is one of the few legitimate reasons why an employer can terminate someone’s employment and they should notify you that you’re ‘at risk’ of redundancy. In some cases, your employer may try to redeploy you somewhere else.
You’ll receive your redundancy pay in the same way you receive your salary
Your employer should pay your redundancy on the date that you leave the company or your next normal pay date. It will usually be paid into your bank account.
Your employer must follow a set of procedures under UK law
If your employer doesn’t follow the procedures required by employment law and you have worked there for more than two years, your dismissal could be deemed unfair.
You could be entitled to claim Universal Credit
The government has announced changes to Universal Credit thresholds and allowances to help people that fall into financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. How much you get depends on your circumstances. The amount you have in savings could also affect how much you receive.
You can’t be made redundant in certain situations
The following is a list of some of the reasons why selection for redundancy would be unfair:
■ Pregnancy
■ Being on maternity, paternity or parental leave
■ On the grounds of your sex, race, sexual orientation, any disability, gender reassignment, religion or belief.
The government has launched a new job site
The government has launched a new Job Help site which currently lists over 65,000 roles. It’s also offering tips, including which sectors are recruiting, how best to use your transferable skills and how to secure a new role.