After-school programmes response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract

This article explores the role of after‐school programmes (ASPs) in serving underserved families in Barcelona, Spain, during the lockdown phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using a mixed‐method approach, this exploratory study surveyed 31 directors of ASPs administered by the Pere Tarrés Foundation. These ASPs serve almost 2000 children living under the federal poverty level in Catalonia, Spain. Results showed that the primary needs of children and their families revolved around: a digital divide that prevented them from accessing education remotely, financial difficulties, mental and behavioural problems and difficulty navigating pandemic‐related information. The study also explores the ASPs' contributions to address such needs, like engaging families, schools and social and health services to meet the urgent needs of the families, reinforcing school learning, providing support for managing emotions and providing guidance to families to help them better understand health information and gain access to available social and financial resources.