Barnardo’s Support for Parents and Carers of Young Children with Respiratory Infections

In winter it is possible for children to develop coughs or breathing difficulties, which can be very worrying for parents with their first baby and those who care for young children. Public Health England is expecting an increase in respiratory infections among young children this winter, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This is because some children have not been exposed to these viruses before, due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. A&E departments have seen a sharp increase in children under five presenting with respiratory infections. Many of these children are mostly well, but with a mild fever.

Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity, has expanded the support offered by its helpline for families from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities this winter. The Boloh service supports families with young children at higher risk of developing respiratory infections. The culturally sensitive helpline offers support in various languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Panjabi, Arabic, Gujarati, Amharic, Albanian and more.

The Boloh helpline and webchat service helps families understand how best to manage coughs, colds, flu, respiratory (chest) infections and signpost to other services for support. The service can also support conversations with NHS111 where translation or moral support would help someone have a conversation with clinicians.

To find out more call an advisor today on 0800 151 2605 or visit helpline.barnardos.org.uk