Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Support Businesses in Dorset during Covid-19
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Here at Primary Times Dorset, alongside using our social channels and website to share great online content that we hope families are enjoying at home, we are also supporting local businesses and charities by sharing their updates and news.
Here are some great tips on how you too can support local businesses , even for free.
1. Local at-home activities
Many local businesses have produced their own materials/resources/activities for home learning and entertainment - see the Cornwall list that we have compiled here under the 'at home activities' section.
2. Use your social media channels
Many local businesses, regardless of their open/closed status are still using their social media channels to promote services they can still offer, livestreams and online events, resources that can be used at home and more. Here are some tips on how you can use your personal social media to provide support quickly and easily
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- Ensure that you do not miss updates from your favourite local businesses on Facebook by adjusting your Facebook News Feed preferences so that you get alerts. Find out more about how to do this here:
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- If a local business shares some information, a live-streamed event or an offer that you think might be of interest to other people, why not share the post or tag friends and family to make them aware
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- On a Thursday - create your very own #throwbackthursday where you use the day to share an image on your personal social media of memory at a local attraction/event
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-On a Friday - take part in #followfriday where you highlight local businesses that you personally recommend and would suggest that other people like/follow on social media.
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3. Post online reviews for a local business you have had a positive experience with
Sites like TripAdvisor and often individual business Facebook pages have the facility for you to leave an honest review of local businesses and attractions that you visited in the months leading up to the current situation. These reviews are often a key way that customers make decisions over where to spend their money and will be invaluable to businesses once they are able to fully reopen.
4. Support a local charity with a donation
With charities and non-for-profit organisations unable to resume their normal fundraising activities for the time being, many are in need of additional funds via alternative methods. We are frequently updating our 'family update' page which details some local organisations that you might want to support. Many attractions such as wildlife parks/conservation attractions are hosting campaigns which include Amazon wishlists for items that are required by their animals.
5. Make a purchase from a local business
You will have spotted that many local businesses are being very creative in the ways that they generate some income if they can during this time, particularly when taking into account social distancing guidelines. If they cannot offer their normal service, some are offering gift cards, special offers and season tickets that can be purchased now and redeemed upon reopening. We have also spotted some event organisers and theatres, for example, offering credits as an option instead of refunds for cancelled
6.Send a positive message to your favourite local businesses
With many local businesses facing uncertain futures and in the position of having had to furlough staff, sending a short message to them via email or social media stating that you are thinking of them and cannot wait for them to reopen might give them a chance to smile! :)
7. Let us know if you have had a positive experience with a local business/attraction
We would love to know which attractions/businesses that you have had a great time with since reopening so we can share your recommendations with our other readers. If you would like to send us any photos, preferably with faces obscured, or testimonials, please contact us at lisa@writeplacemedia.co.uk or via our social media channels or by using the hashtag #primarytimesdorset on your social media posts.
