Skip to main content

A Better Start: Responding to Covid-19

A Better Start – responding to COVID-19 - Insights from The National Lottery Community Fund’s A Better Start Programme (PDF, 4.5MB)

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. To request an accessible format contact us.

Introduction

This report looks at how the COVID‑19 pandemic affected babies, young children and families in A Better Start (ABS) areas. It also explains how ABS partnerships changed their services to keep supporting families.

The report is for:

  • funders early‑years teams

  • programme staff

  • organisations interested in learning from ABS responses during the pandemic

Findings

The report found that COVID‑19 increased pressures on families, particularly those already facing disadvantage. Families experienced more stress, isolation, worries about money and reduced access to vital services such as maternity care, health visiting and early years support.

ABS partners responded quickly by moving services online, creating new outreach methods and redeploying staff to meet urgent needs. They worked to keep families connected, offered emotional support and adapted group activities so parents could still access help. Some families also said there were benefits, such as more time together and stronger bonds.

Overall, the report shows how ABS partnerships used flexible and creative approaches to continue supporting families during the crisis.