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By Jan Watson of Scoosh which helps parents with their children’s education.

Summarise how Co?vid-19 has affected you? 

Growth for the after-school STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) clubs had been gradual, this academic year we’d had 2 terms of clubs and were three weeks into a third before the schools had to close. This meant that half of my business just came to a full stop.

Tuition makes up the other half of my business - helping children with their maths and English. I was confident that this would continue under lockdown, moving from face to face tuition to online, via Zoom. Of the 12, however, only two of them continued, for one reason or another their priorities changed.

What has been your plan?  

People are over-using the word ‘pivot’ but that’s the best way to describe what we have all had to do! 

Honestly? The pandemic has pushed me forward to offer a daily online club and 1:1 online tutoring, my plan is to continue during the summer and beyond. These can be subject specific or a way of instilling a general love of learning. 

How has business changed for you over the last few months? 

At the beginning of the year, my business was focused on supporting children with the whole curriculum, face to face. These sessions work best in person for parents engaging a math and english tutor, as well as after school clubs based on practical STEM projects. There is a definite fear of the online world, but without the option to continue face to face clubs or tuition, the only choice is to embrace online learning and I plan to continue that way.

As lockdown eases what measures have you put in place to get back to business? 

I believe it will be next year before we all feel safe enough to go back to ‘normal’ with face to face tuition and in person after school clubs. In the meantime, I will continue to improve my online offer, and if there is a need to meet face to face, follow guidance for PPE and hygiene to protect everyone.

What has been the most challenging aspect of all of this? 

Losing contact with my lovely students and their families. I know I can help them if they could embrace online learning.

What has been the most positive aspect? 

The most positive aspect has been the push to focus on offering online learning as that aligns with the new ‘normal’. I believe that the future holds even more online careers and as a qualified software engineer, I can help prepare our children for them.  

Has it made you consider how you feel about other businesses/suppliers/customers/clients for good or otherwise? 

I have been impressed with the increasing numbers of local small retailers moving online to keep their business afloat. As a small business myself, and how difficult it has been to survive, I will make different choices to support more small businesses.

How important is this phrase to you – ‘buy local, supply local’? 

I believe that buying and supplying locally means building a community and bringing us together to support each other. Along with the benefits to the local economy, we can’t ignore the impact we are having on the planet. 

What are your top tips at this time?  

1. Build your support network

2. Stay visible

3. Be kind to yourself

Your parting thought?

I really hope that we can all come together, support each other through what are difficult times for a lot of people. If I can help in any way, please get in touch.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/scooshlive 

Fiona Scott Media Consultancy Swindon

Scott Media

Scott Media is run by a UK-based journalist with more than 20 years' experience in the media - print, radio and television.

6 Gold View, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8GZ

Fiona Scott Media Consultancy
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