The Green Familia » Charity of the Month

Charity of the Month: The Place2Be

Jessica — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Today’s primary school children face all kinds of challenges that threaten to derail them, from gang culture on our streets to abuse at home. Unless they are given the means to cope, their feelings of sadness, fear and anger can easily spill over in the classroom – and in society And whilst some children may become disruptive, others will withdraw completely, shutting everyone out. A staggering 80% of children showing behavioural problems at the age of five go on to develop more serious forms of anti-social behaviour, and over 90% of young offenders have had a mental health problem as a child.

The Place2Be was established in response to the increasing concern about the extent and depth of emotional and behavioural difficulties displayed in classrooms and playgrounds. A school-based counselling service, The Place2Be is dedicated to improving the emotional well-being of children, their families and the whole school community.

By giving children the chance to explore their problems through talking, creative work and play, we enable them to cope now and make better-informed decisions about their lives and help prevent more serious mental health and behavioural problems in later life. When children are happier and less preoccupied with problems, they find it easier to learn and so their educational chances are much enhanced.

Established in 1994, they are currently working with 155 schools across the UK, often in areas of great deprivation. Their services are available to 51,000 children coping with problems such as bereavement, family breakdown, domestic violence, trauma and bullying.

The Place2Be works hand-in-hand with parents and carers to:

help children to feel good about themselves so that they can be more confident in friendships and family relationships – and able to learn better in school.

encourage positive relationships and shared aims between schools and parents and support both parties in achieving this

help parents to better understand and communicate with their children, so that family life can be less of a struggle

For more information on their services or to find out how to become a volunteer, visit their website at http://www.theplace2be.org.uk/default.aspx

Charity of the Month: Breast Cancer Haven

Brenda — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:31 +0000

BREAST CANCER HAVEN

Every year more than 45,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s more than 125 women a day, which is 1 in 9 women.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment can have a huge emotional and physical effect. In addition to the side-effects of treatment such as pain, hot-flushes, sleeplessness and hair loss, people often experience psychological symptoms including shock, anxiety and depression.

Breast Cancer Haven supports people affected by breast cancer, helping them to achieve the best possible quality of life. In a safe, healing environment, their highly-skilled specialist nurses and therapists have time to listen, advise and create an individually tailored programme of complementary therapies, emotional and practical care designed to help reduce symptoms and the side-effects of medical treatment, and the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives.

They provide support, information, counselling and complementary therapies to help anyone affected by breast cancer to cope with the psychological impact of diagnosis as well as help relieve the uncomfortable side effects of some medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The Haven programme of care is free of charge to anyone affected by breast cancer. They have Havens in London, Hereford and Leeds. A range of outreach materials is also available for those who can’t reach us.

How to access Breast Cancer Haven’s services:

Anyone affected by breast cancer can use their free services wherever they live in the UK. They can:

Visit one of our three Havens:

1 London 020 7384 0099

2 Hereford 01432 361061

3 Leeds 0113 284 7829

Order their ‘Breast Cancer Haven at Home’ Programme, which comprises a DVD, audio CD, web based information and telephone support.

Talk to one of our specialist team on the phone – or email them.

Visit their website, www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk which has helpful information including downloadable fact sheets.

Order their DVD called ‘Lymphoedema Awareness, Reducing Your Risk’ which suggests steps to lower the risk of developing, and managing, this uncomfortable swelling which affects one in four women with breast cancer.

Charity of the Month: SOS Children

Brenda — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:44 +0000

SOS Children’s Villages

There are an estimated 143 million orphaned children all around the world today. Many children lose their parents because of natural disasters, war, famine, disease or poverty. For many children without parents, life can be very hard. SOS Children, the world’s largest orphan charity, makes sure thousands of these children can have a new family and home for life.

SOS Children believes all children should belong to a family which is why they look after children who have lost their parents through war, famine, disease, natural disaster or poverty and strengthen families in need of support to enable them to stay together.

For 60 years, SOS Children has developed an approach based on building a community for children who have nobody to turn to. Traditionally, they provide children with a home, a family and a new mother in a purpose-built local Village, where they can stay until they are ready for independent life. They currently run 480 of these SOS Children’s Villages, caring directly for more than 70,000 children in 123 countries worldwide.

They also invest in the futures of thousands of children in the community, making sure they have the tools they need to become independent young adults. SOS Children do this by building and running more than 500 nursery, primary and secondary schools, which are open to children in our care and to those from the local community. Furthermore, Vocational Training Centres equip people of all ages with the practical skills they need to earn a living and lead independent lives.

In areas where medical support is scarce or non-existent, SOS Medical Centres provide communities with immediate medical treatment and preventative and palliative care. SOS Children also offer skills, training, education, counselling, micro-loans and improved nutrition to vulnerable families so they are able to provide for their children and stay together in difficult times. And in times of conflict, famine or disaster, they are quick to provide emergency assistance.

Around the world, SOS Children supports over one million children and adults in their efforts to ensure children have a family for life. By 2016, they aim to make sure a million children will get to grow up in a family. Of these, 100,000 will be given a family and home in an SOS Children’s Village and 900,000 will be able to grow up in their own family with their support.

For just £20 a month, you can sponsor an orphaned or abandoned child and ensure they have the opportunity to grow up in a loving home and have a family for life. For more information, visit www.soschildren.org or call 01223 365589 or email info@soschildren.org