NEWSLETTER Christmas 2013 issue 14
CHRISTMAS The Christmas period can be a time of devastating loneliness, shame and despair for vulnerable children. This year, with rising levels of poverty, too many children face waking up on Christmas day without a hot meal or warm clothes, and without a single gift to open. They would rather forget Christmas altogether. It doesn’t have to be this way. With your support we can make this a magical day to remember for thousands of vulnerable children, so they can feel the joy of being a child at Christmas. You can help us hold a huge Christmas Day party for over 4,000 children and young people complete with games, storytelling, a Santa’s grotto and, of course, a big Christmas dinner and presents! With your help, we can also support a further 7,500 families in the community, who will not be able to attend the festivities, with desperately needed food and gift parcels. There are many ways you can help in the run-up to Christmas. From fundraising and donating gifts to volunteering or sending our Christmas e-card, we would love you to get involved!
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CONTENTS A letter from Camila 4 Success Stories 6 Summer Residentials 8 Frontline London 10 University College London and Kids Company 12 London School of Economics and Kids Company 14 Hide and Seek Exhibition 16 Liberty and Kids Company 17 Selfridges and Kids Company 18 Radley and Kids Company 18 The Gala Dinner 19 John Lewis childrenswear range 20 Gladrags and Handbags Fashion Sale 21 The Treehouse 22 The Arches II 23 Bristol 24 Urban Academy 25 Urban Wisdom 26 Morgan Stanley Heart Yard 27 Holding up Childhood Exhibition - Royal Academy Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Charity show Coldplay Under 1 Roof Auction and Concert The Christmas Fun Run and the Overseas Challenges
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Meet the Staff 36 Meet the Volunteer 37 Meet the Trustee 38 Make a donation 39 Amazing Fundraising 40 Thanks To... 41
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DEAR FRIENDS, Towards Christmas Kids Company feels like a ramshackle high-speed train. Out of the windows is a cacophony of kids, screaming needs and giggling with delight when we manage to respond. I wish I could tell you that I was the driver in charge, neatly in my uniform, running a predictable schedule. The truth is, as a charity with an entirely unpredictable income, I am part beggar, part hoper. My entire preoccupation, sadly, is to bring in the resources we need in order to protect and nurture our children. Christmas is a particularly tough time. Our kids become very distressed as they compare their depleted circumstances to the prosperity portrayed. They want reassurance that there’ll be enough food, someone to turn to during the Christmas, so that they’re not left devastatingly alone. Unlike well cared for children, a present is the last thing they think about. It’s so sad to see thousands of children preoccupied with where the next meal will come from, or whether they’ll be safe. It’s not a war torn country, but the kids do refer to themselves as ‘soldiers’. They’re proud of their dignity and their ability to survive violence and disregard in their neighbourhoods. So we have a cracker of a wish for our kids. We want to keep them safe and well-nourished, but we also want to restore to them the child-like delights Christmas has to offer. Every year some 4,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults come to us on Christmas day. A further 7,500 receive gifts and food parcels. On Boxing Day even though our feet ache and we’re run ragged, the team breathes a sigh of relief for having offered our kids a magical Christmas. We couldn’t do it without you, our precious friends and supporters. The money you help raise and the gifts you donate, go on to generate so much hope and to restore faith in kindness. So please, don’t abandon me on my ramshackle train! I need your help to stay on track, avert a tinsel tragedy and deliver a Christmas to these children that you would wish for your own. So many children and young people think of killing themselves during the Christmas period. We are available to them throughout. It genuinely makes the difference between life and death for kids who have nothing else to lose. Make your heart hopping happy by sharing the good that’s in you. A big hug, and wishing you a prosperous new year (so that you have more to give away!) Yours lovingly, The Festive Roly-Poly Controller
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SUCCESS STORIES TO THE READER, BY KID E When I was a teenager I was wrapped up with the wrong group of people and I ended up taking drugs and getting involved in other shady business. I eventually got arrested and spent some time in custody. When I was let out, I found out all my possessions had been stolen, which made me to wish I was dead. I was homeless, I had nothing. This led my friend to introduce me to Kids Company in the winter of that year. I was allocated Lee Daubon as a keyworker, and I consider myself very lucky. Over time Lee stood by me, and I built a strong, sustained friendship with him – he guided me as a keyworker but also as a real friend. I cannot thank him enough. When I moved into a hostel, Kids Company provided me with the living essentials that I couldn’t afford to buy – furniture, a bed and bedding, and kitchen equipment. I will never forget how thrilled I was at the moment that Lee and Stef turned up with all the stuff to help me make a home! It was in that year that I asked Lee to help me get into education. He enrolled me on a course (an extended project) at Goldsmiths College. My experience there was very inspiring; it helped me to adapt to an academic environment and encouraged me to go on and study three science A-levels in one year, which was the biggest hurdle I had ever faced! I managed to get into university and I am now in my second year of a degree in Medicinal Chemistry; in my first year I averaged 92% and achieved the highest marks in the year. Without the help and support of Kids Company, it might never have happened. I am honoured to have known Kids Company and to have been part of this incredible, lifechanging scheme. I hope I can be someone whom Kids Company can be proud of.
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ANNIE Annie came to Kids Company at the age of 18 and has been with us now for five years. She self-referred, after suffering an extremely traumatic childhood. When she arrived at Kids Company, Annie told us of her dream to study a degree in Youth Work, and help young people like herself. She gained a place at Goldsmiths University three years ago, and in her first year became pregnant. She made the brave decision to bring up the baby and continue her degree. In September this year, Annie graduated from Goldsmiths with a 2:1. Her beautiful two-year-old son was there to cheer her on at her graduation. She is now inspiring other young people by providing support for them at Kids Company’s Evening Club and working with a partnership agency. Annie says: “Given the right support and assistance, anyone can fulfil their dreams and potential. Now it is my turn to create the right environment for my son so that I can give him a better childhood than I had”.
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SUMMER RESIDENTIALS Lancashire Insurance and Kinmont Advisory initiated an appeal to help, specifically funding our Summer Residentials programme, which provide our children and young people with fantastic, positive holiday experiences. Together they raised a phenomenal £209,425! This year, Kids Company organised 22 one-day and overnight residential trips, which over 5000 disadvantaged children and young people enjoyed. The kids, staff and volunteers hiked and camped through the Peak District, kayaked in the Lee Valley, relaxed at yoga retreats, abseiled at adventure camps and took part in town festivals – from Brighton beach to Sheringham, they got to stretch their legs in new, exciting landscapes. Nothing compares to the transformation we witness in our kids through the Residentials programme. As they become more trusting and confident in themselves and those around them, they are able to enjoy themselves in a free environment and forget, at least for a few days, about the challenges of home life and set their imaginations alight for a happier future. We could not have provided such fantastic opportunities for our kids without the support of Guy and Julia Hands, Lancashire Insurance and Kinmont Advisory. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Richard Brindle and Gavin Kelly, and their teams on behalf of all the children and young people who have benefited from the residentials.
THE SUMMER CRISIS APPEAL RAISED £136,000! Thank you so much to everyone who answered our call for help over the summer. The Summer Holidays are an extremely difficult time of year for our children as so much of the vital support provided by school is lost. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Samsung, XL Recordings and Guy and Julia Hands, we were able to run our essential emergency hotline, providing a life-line to families in the form of extra clothing, food provision and childcare so that parents could continue work.
Thank you to Richard Brindle, his team Jessica Mizzi and Georgina Thompson, and Gavin Kelly on behalf of all the children and young people who have benefited from the residentials. 8
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FRONTLINE LONDON On 27 September, The Evening Standard launched a powerful campaign to raise awareness of gangs and show the public the extent of the problem our young people, and many others, are facing in London every day. The campaign has been supported by the startling evidence produced by researchers at University College London, who discovered that half of Kids Company young people have seen someone shot or stabbed in their community within the past year. (For the full story on the UCL report, go to p.12) In a series of leading articles, David Cohen gave a voice to Kids Company’s cry for the Government to acknowledge the plight of children and young people who need help to leave gangs and strive for a better future. The campaign has been a big success, publicly supported by the leaders of the three main political parties as well as leading religious figures and senior police commanders in Scotland Yard. It also brought the Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd to Kids Company to meet some of our young people and gain some insight into the support our young people need. As a result of the campaign, £4million has been pledged to charities across London and the UK. Leading by example, the Evening Standard offered three £10,000 start-up grants to entrepreneurial Kids Company young people, helping to bring their business ideas to life.
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All in All Transit, a removals and logistics business set up by Daniel Barnes and Michael Gonedro; NewBiggz, a wedding and events planning company headed up by Karl Lokko and Pastor Mimi Asher; and The F.A-B Arts Company, which offers educational drama workshops, founded by Feras Al-Bakri all made the pages of The Evening Standard. We have seen an incredible response with new support of Kids Company’s work and a growing customer base for the boys’ businesses – they were also invited to The One Show and Radio 4 to continue spreading awareness as a result of the campaign. Kids Company is providing on-going support for each of the businesses by providing keyworkers and businessdevelopment mentors for our young social entrepreneurs. We know this is just the beginning, and we are so proud of them and their achievements! To follow the campaign and show your support visit: http://www.standard.co.uk/biography/ david-cohen-campaigns-editor
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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON PUBLISH RESEARCH ON KIDS COMPANY September was a truly ground-breaking month for Kids Company, with the publication of University College London’s research on Kids Company young people. This was the first time in the UK that researchers had studied a high-risk group of inner-city young people, and their findings were shocking in terms of levels of exposure to adversity, both in the community and at home, and the consequences this was generating for these individuals. One hundred and five young people from Kids Company came forward to participate. Their levels of exposure to violence and maltreatment (and consequent symptoms of trauma) were compared with a group of 108 young people from the community. Of the Kids Company young people tested (compared to control participants): •5 0% have seen someone being shot or stabbed in their community within the past year • 1 in 4 have seen a friend or relative being shot or stabbed in the past year. • 1 in 5 reported being shot or stabbed in their lifetime •T hey are 5.2 times more likely to have experienced severe to extreme levels of emotional abuse Kids Company young people: • are 15 times more likely to have experienced severe to extreme levels of emotional neglect • are 4.6 times more likely to have experienced severe to extreme levels of physical abuse, and • are 13 times more likely to have experienced severe to extreme levels of sexual abuse.
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The extremely high levels of exposure to adversity highlighted by this research run alongside high levels of negative psychological symptoms experienced by Kids Company young people. Compared to control participants, Kids Company young people suffer: • 2.2 times the level of anxiety • 1.8 times the level of depression • 2.2 times the level of anger •3 .3 times the level of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms • 3.7 times the level of dissociation
The double adversity of neg otiating risks both at home and in the community is extremely dam aging. A child’s brain develops quickly and adapts for sur vival; growing up surrounde d by violence creates young people who struggle to make the righ choices, some of whom bec t ome violent themselves. The trauma symptoms fou nd by UCL are comparabl e with combat veterans displaying Pos t Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Professor Sandra Jovchelovi tch from the London School of Economics comments “that these findings show that chi ldren are being exposed to leve ls of violence comparable to the favelas of Rio de Jeneiro”. Camila says: “ This research highlights a completely unacceptable situation. No child should ever fear and terror. We have per have to grow up living in mit ted toxic neighbourhoo ds to exist where childhood is being destroyed and produc tive futures lost; we need to tak e collective responsibility for this. It’s a serious societa l problem and until we can make vulnerable children visible and offer them the care and suppor t they need we will continue to spend bill ions locking up young people, the majority of whom re-off end and require ever costlier hea lth and criminal justice interventions into adultho od.”
The findings of the report will be cataly tic in the deb ate on youth violence and soc ial policy.
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LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS CONFERENCE REPORT ON THE KIDS COMPANY MODEL The London School of Economics Social Psychology Department published a report in September which gave a diagnosis of the Kids Company organisation and its interventions. The results were very interesting and encouraging for us, and we’d like to share the conclusions with you. The report stated: “ Kids Company uses cutting edge neurological and psychological research to better understand vulnerable and excluded children and young people, which in turn strengthens their service provision. “ [They] offer a grounded approach guided by the needs of vulnerable children and young people [which is] 100% child-centred, inclusive and non-time framed. On the whole the research found staff morale at Kids Company to be exceptionally high.”
Their results further reveal a very high overall job satisfaction among Kids Company staff and volunteers. Respondents strongly agreed or agreed to: • Pride in work (97%) • Job dynamism (94%) • Staff facilitated to do a good job (96%)
• Kids Company’s organisation participatory approach (95%) • Being proactive (92%)
Their review of Kids Company’s care model is also very encouraging: “ The research shows that central to the pillars of the model developed by Kids Company are: • Flexibility and pragmatism, in order to respond to the clients’ needs, guides the model, and a highly interactive delivery system enables a long-term strategy. • Parenting by proxy; providing unconditional love and nurturing relationships, which offer the opportunity to develop healthy attachments and trust. • Rewriting the self: enhancing self-esteem and changing self-understanding through attachment and holding (touch and loving relationships). This allows children and young people to slowly build up their sense of self from fractured and detrimental social relations. • Commitment to long-term intervention through a timeframe dictated by clients’ needs embed perseverance and persistence in the model of care and make it unique.” 14
On 26 September, Kids Company partnered with the London School of Economics for our Annual Conference: “Molecules of Happiness”. The one-day event brought together the first findings of the UCL research (see p.12) alongside the above LSE research, and a third project documenting our work with some of our most vulnerable children, from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. Panelists commenting on these findings included MPs from the Labour Party, representative of the Metropolitan Police and the Youth Justice Board, and professors and academics in child and adolescent social policy, education, social work and psychiatry. This was an unforgettable and profoundly inspiring day, which united the country’s leading experts across a great number of fields and disciplines, and fixed more firmly than ever Kids Company’s resolve, now with the support of scientific and social evidence, to continue fighting for and giving a voice to vulnerable and traumatised children. You can read the full London School of Economics’ report on Kids Company at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/52856/1/Jovchelovitch_Kids_Company_Diagnosis_2013.pdf
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HIDE AND SEEK The children and young people of Kids Company brought together an inspiring and profoundly moving collection of artwork to create the HIDE AND SEEK exhibition at the Freud Museum in late September. This marked the first time in the museum’s history that artwork by children had been put on display. It was a brave and powerful exhibition, as the artists explored their emotional responses to unimaginable trauma and neglect, and told their stories from brutal pasts to a bright, optimistic future. The context of the Freud Museum combined with the children’s humbling messages of pain, resilience and hope produced a poignant and important partnership. “ Thank you all at Kids Company for creating such a stunning exhibition. It has been a real pleasure for all of us at the Freud museum to work with you and the kids, and we hope this is the beginning of many more fruitful collaborations.”
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LIBERTY AND KIDS COMPANY This Christmas, Liberty will once again be stocking Kids Company’s Bare Thread Fashion Label. The original ‘Hood that Hugs’ concept was developed by young people at Kids Company to subvert the clichéd image of the ‘hoodie’, turning it into something beautiful, safe and surprising. Liberty are proud to be selling four knitted ‘Hoods that Hug’ and three bird ponchos, designed exclusively for Liberty by Olivia and Humaira, both young people supported by Kids Company. In the Christmas shop you will also find a selection of five cards and bespoke wrapping paper created from designs made by our children in school workshops, in which they display their take on the iconic Liberty building. Fifty percent of the profit from the sale of these products will go directly to support vulnerable children and young people who have experienced enormous challenges, to go on to lead positive and fulfilling lives.
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SELFRIDGES AND KIDS COMPANY Kids Company is delighted to have the support of Selfridges again this Christmas. If you find yourself on Orchard Street, you will see four incredible windows explaining how you can support us in-store this Christmas. There will be in-store buskers and donation points throughout the festive period, as well as opportunities to donate online and via text at the window. On behalf of all of the children and staff at Kids Company, thank you Selfridges! You do so much to support us, and we cherish your friendship.
RADLEY AND KIDS COMPANY This Christmas, Radley launches their first ever book, a re-imagining of the ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ tale. Copies of their beautifully illustrated story can be purchased online and in store; £2 from every copy sold will be donated to Kids Company. What’s more, when you visit any of the 21 Radley stores and 14 outlets, you can make a donation at the till to help make a Christmas to remember for a vulnerable child. We are so grateful to the incredible people at Radley for giving so much of their time, love and effort to this partnership. www.radley.co.uk/discover-radley/12-days-christmas
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THE GALA DINNER October signals the annual Kids Company Gala Dinner and Auction, the highlight of our fundraising calendar. Three hundred leaders in business and the arts, along with a glittering array of celebrities, and some of the Kids Company young people, came to celebrate the work of Kids Company Keyworkers over the past twelve months. The amazing John Bishop raised the roof of the Whitehall Banqueting House with his comedy, and his heartfelt support for Kids Company, and a live auction hosted by Sotheby’s Chairman Henry Wyndham had guests bidding flamboyantly for once-in-a-lifetime prizes. It was an unforgettable, vibrant and deeply moving evening for our supporters and friends. We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts all the generous auction donors on the night, and to everyone who supported the evening by giving their time and their encouragement, bidding and pledging so generously. It was a resounding success beating last year’s target. Funds will support our keyworkers, whose vital work with the children on a day-to-day basis provides the backbone of Kids Company. On behalf of all the children and staff at Kids Company, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrew Webster and Astra Zeneca for their simply incredible generosity in making it happen. Thanks also, from the bottom of our hearts, to the Kids Company development team for their tireless efforts and support.
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JOHN LEWIS CHILDRENSWEAR RANGE LAUNCHED Just in time for winter, Kids Company has teamed up with John Lewis to create an exciting new childrenswear range. Equipped with an art room full of supplies, a group of Kids Company children of eight and nine went to town designing snowmen, Santas, Christmas trees and penguins. The results: a simply adorable, festive collection of onesies, tote bags and long-sleeved tops! The project has been a moving expression of the wonder of Christmas, and the children’s joy at celebrating the season in a safe and happy environment. The launch at Peter Jones in Sloane Square on 10 October was a lively affair, with Camila in attendance. You can purchase the range online and at nine John Lewis stores nationwide. Ten percent of the sale of each item will be donated to Kids Company, so that we can continue to provide love and support to some of London’s most vulnerable and atrisk children. Clare Winspear, Childrenswear Buyer at John Lewis, said: “We were delighted with the results of the workshops; the designs created by the pupils were so inspiring.” Camila: “Kids Company hopes to build bridges from the ghettos to the centre of society for children and young people who are profoundly marginalised. To see such beautiful products, designed by John Lewis and our children, sold on the high street is nothing short of delicious!” Thank you so much to our wonderful partners at John Lewis for making this project a reality and for providing ongoing support in our work to help thousands of highly vulnerable children escape hardship for a brighter future.
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KIDS COMPANY AND GRAZIA HOST GLADRAGS & HANDBAGS DESIGNER FASHION SALE For many of our fashion loving supporters (and staff!), the Gladrags & Handbags event is the highlight of the year. Kids Company and Grazia joined forces in October to host our annual three-day designer fashion sale at the fabulously stylish Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. The event was a fantastic success – we were joined by Romola Garai and Jane Bruton for the VIP launch – and each day was a whirlwind of glitz and glamour as guests got their hands on stunning designer clothing, bags and accessories from the very top fashion brands at amazingly discounted prices. The event raised just over £50,000 for Kids Company, which will be spent on providing a safe and magical Christmas for over 4000 children. Thank you so much to all the fashion houses for their donations and everyone who came out – and kitted out – to support Kids Company.
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THE TREEHOUSE
Things are blooming at The Treehouse, as the summer and autumn have produced an abundance of fruit and veg in The Treehouse garden. The kids show a real passion for gardening, and loved watching their hard work and efforts grow into delicious, healthy food – and eating it all has been even more popular! The music room has been a great source of activity too. We’ve run singing and karaoke sessions this term, and they’ve been so popular that we’ve had to create a timetable for each session to fit everybody in. We’re also running a ‘Rhythm and Noise’ session once a week, and a music production course for the secondary school kids.
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We have been busy working on a Treehouse re-recording of Michael Jackson’s legendary Thriller video in time for Christmas. The kids have worked tirelessly in rehearsals, learning the routine, making the set and filming. They are simply amazing. We will be screening the premier, alongside The Coldplay film and A ‘Treehouse’ Christmas Carol at the Treehouse Christmas Party, on Tuesday 17 Dec at 4pm at the Tricycle Theatre London. If you’d like to join us please email charlotte.melville@kidsco.org.uk for tickets.
ARCHES II Our Flourish Programme for under-14s is, well, flourishing! We felt we needed to deliver more specific learning support at clubtime, so we have come up with ‘Reading Action’ – a one-to-one literacy group where the children discuss the characters and their dilemmas, which in turn helps them to understand relationships. It is a gentle way for the adults and children to get to know each other and discuss difficult issues. The kids really benefit from the personal attention, and we pick fun books to read! Both Kids Company staff and volunteers make this project happen every week. “Funbers” is our new numeracy scheme. Bringing maths to life was a challenge! But we have created table-top number games and ‘whole number’ activities that are proving really popular, and useful. Many of our kids struggle with basic numeracy, going through primary school with no grasp on simple maths and numerical value. We aim to ensure all our children learn these essential skills to help them in later life. Other new activities at The Arches II this academic year include Yoga & Meditation, Swimming, Street Dance and Soca-Aerobics, and a bigger Cooking programme owing to the phenomenal demand from the children! And we are so excited to announce a wonderful new extension to our Arches II provision – The Kids Venture! We have adopted the former Adventure Playground building in Loughborough Park and have an incredible team of staff and volunteers working round the clock to make it shipshape for our kids as an education and activities facility with an incredible adventure garden. Watch this space for the grand opening; we can hardly wait!
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BRISTOL We’ve been getting sporty at Kids Company Bristol! After just seven training sessions with Kids Company teacher (and Chew Valley Rugby Club player) Dom Ford, our under16s won their first fixture against the Broad Plain Rugby Club Juniors. It was a historic victory, and led to Kids Company young person Dan Hancock being asked to join the Broad Plain team. Congratulations Dan! We are so lucky to be supported in the southwest by a number of fantastic community projects. We are now working closely with West Country Boxing to provide a non-contact programme with some of our children, and with Ready Steady Training, who offer opportunities for children to learn practical construction skills, which can be used to forge careers in later life.
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URBAN ACADEMY
The summer residentials were a resounding success at The Urban Academy. The YHA hosted us weekend in the countryside filled with watersports (kayaking being the favourite) and we had a number of great days out to Chessington World of Adventures. Thank you so much to the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation for sending us dozens of tickets! Throughout October we celebrated Black History Month, each day displaying a photograph in the Urban Academy of a prominent member of the black community from around the world, with a biography of their achievements. We concluded this important month with a trip to the British Museum, inspiring our young people to draw strength from these incredible, positive role models. And the artistic flare of our young people is brightening up the Capital! We’re so proud of Kieran Cox, whose artwork was purchased at the Hide & Seek Exhibition at the Freud Museum (see p.000), and Zilvinas Vaitiekunas, whose art was exhibited in the Modern Panic Exhibition at the Guerrilla Zoo, Hackney, throughout November.
‘It’s relaxing here. I feel different...in a good way’ Dan, aged 17 25
URBAN WISDOM In the summer newsletter we introduced you to Kids Company’s new youthled think tank – Urban Wisdom, a collective of young people who have been supported by Kids Company and have come together to represent and advocate for the children and young people living in the communities we reach. It’s been a busy few weeks! During the Labour party conference in September, Ed Miliband announced that he wanted to change the voting age to 16. Newsnight shortly got in touch, and Urban Wisdom arranged for two students from the Urban Academy to share their views and to be filmed for the programme. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Children have recently launched an inquiry into how the police relate to children and young people. Urban Wisdom discussed the issue among their peers and produced a written response to contribute to their investigations. To support the NSPCC’s review of their services to target neglect, Urban Wisdom ran a focus group at one of Kids Company’s street-level centres gathering the views and experiences of young people. Urban Wisdom were invited to co-design and deliver the first in a series of innovative events with Dartington Social Research Unit (SRU), who are leading an investigation into the barriers faced by disadvantaged children and young people in accessing services. Urban Wisdom were invited to spend two days at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park engaging with Commissioners of Children’s services and experts from across the country. The group has now been commissioned by SRU for a further report. Urban Wisdom have also visited the advertising agency AMV for a focus group on social media, visited the government Department for Work and Pensions to discuss their social justice strategy and the role of Job Centre Pluses, and worked with the citizen journalism group Radar, joining them at the Guardian Activate Summit as citizen reporters.
You can follow what Urban Wisdom are up to by visiting their blog www.kidscourbanwisdom.wordpress.com 26
MORGAN STANLEY HEART YARD Six months after the grand opening of The Morgan Stanley Heart Yard, the house is in full swing as a warm and welcoming therapeutic space for our children. All the rooms are fully equipped and assigned to treatments, ranging from art therapy, psychotherapy and hypnosis to reiki, massage and acupuncture. There are currently 500 visits from children and young people to The Morgan Stanley Heart Yard each month, which we hope we will be able to expand to 800 by Easter next year. Our communal space is beautifully decorated and is a cheerful, homely space for the kids to relax in, with a big kitchen and a bright garden. This is crucial for many of our more isolated children, and offers kids and their carers a space for cooking, gardening and eating together in a family environment, as well as providing a child-care facility for children whose parents are in therapy sessions upstairs. In the run-up to Christmas we are starting some new group sessions to really maximise our outreach, including ‘That Friday Feeling’ – a wellbeing evening for teen girls, the Heart Yard Brunch, a Love and Loss workshop, plus lots and lots of cooking sessions. With the new communal space, additional therapists and the introduction of group sessions, we are pleased to say that we currently have no waiting list! “ The rooms at the Heart Yard smell so nice. I like my massage and always feel better when I’ve been here.” (Sarah-Jane, aged 17) “ I like all the bright colours at the Heart Yard! One day when I have my house, I would like to paint it in the same way.” (Kid C, aged 8) 26
As part of our therapeutic programme, we provide some children with equine therapy. Horses are highly sensitive and respond naturally to the emotional issues the children bring to the sessions. The therapists gain valuable insight into the trauma the child suffers, and the horse acts as a gentle support to them both. The children loved their session so much that they wrote to Camila...
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HOLDING UP CHILDHOOD EXHIBITION, ROYAL ACADEMY, Supported by Bloomberg and Sami Since 2007 The Royal Academy and Kids Company have built a unique partnership which has enabled thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people to access the arts, progress their own talent and build resilience through creative play. Our latest venture is the exhibition Holding up Childhood, which will be on display at the Royal Academy in December. Art produced by the children and young people from across the Kids Company centres and schools programmes will creatively explore themes around celebration, family and belonging. The Christmas period can be a time of great anxiety for the children and young people we support, many of whom feel disconnected and isolated from a world seemingly full of happy families and abundance. We hope that the experience of seeing their artwork, much which explories loneliness and isolation, will in itself encourage a feeling of connectedness and pride. The exhibition runs from 16th December 2013 – 17th January 2014, 10am–6pm daily at The Royal Academy, Burlington House, London
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MICHAEL MCINTYRE’S CHRISTMAS CHARITY SHOW
We love him!
He’s back! We are so delighted to announce that Michael McIntyre is returning to the Eventim Apollo on Tuesday 17th December for his fourth spectacular ‘Christmas Charity Show’ in aid of Kids Company. This entertainment extravaganza will feature an all-star comedy line-up including Alan Carr, John Bishop, Russell Howard, Rob Brydon and, as always, there will be some amazing surprise guests. Tickets went on sale on 20 November. As always we are hugely grateful to Michael for showing our kids such love and support – Michael we love you! For more information and to snap up any last minute tickets visit http://www.ents24.com/london-events/eventim-apollo/michael-mcintyreschristmas-charity-show/3655490
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COLDPLAY UNDER 1 ROOF AUCTION AND CONCERT Kids Company is almost (but not quite!) speechless with excitement to announce the Coldplay Under 1 Roof auction and concert. Coldplay will be joined at this second Under 1 Roof concert by David Brent and Foregone Conclusion, Lily Allen, Dynamo and Rizzle Kicks. The evening will be hosted by Fearne Cotton. This flagship event of Coldplay’s ongoing relationship with Kids Company will be a fabulous celebration of music, friendship and Kids Company, and we are simply overjoyed to have this in our calendar. “ Buying a ticket to this concert will guarantee two things: a totally unique never-to-be-repeated night of star-spangled entertainment, and money in the Christmas coffers of a charity that brings love and happiness to London’s most vulnerable kids.” – Chris Martin, Coldplay “ When you feel happy your heart flips - Coldplay have made thousands of children’s hearts flip not just through their music but through their kindness and support. The concert will bring together some incredible talent under one roof to help courageous and vulnerable children, who are surviving childhoods so that they might have a brighter future.” Camila, Kids Company
Tickets for Under 1 Roof, costing £75, went on sale on Thursday, 14 November at 9am GMT from the Gigs And Tours and Eventim Apollo websites. Visit http://coldplay.com/newsdetail.php?id=1337 for more details. 32
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THE CHRISTMAS FUN RUN! It’s that time of year again, the moment you’ve been waiting for to don your trainers and an ill-fitting Santa suit, and race your fellow Santas across five -or ten-kilometre courses in Victoria Park! Not for the fainthearted, this race separates the Dashers from the Prancers in a hairraising bolt in the name of charity. Last year was a massive, raucous success and we predict this year will be no different. To find out more and to sign up to enter and raise money for Kids Company, visit www.doitforcharity.com/book-online.aspx?eid=2472&cid=3346 2&charity=true
OVERSEAS CHALLENGES The end of 2013 has brought about an incredible flurry of energy from our most active and hearty supporters. In October, twenty-five adventurous individuals completed The Chemin de la Liberté World War II Escape Route across the Pyrenees. Despite terrible weather conditions, everyone made it across, and the sun did, eventually, appear on the final day. Together they raised a fantastic £32,000: an enormous thank you is due to all of them for their amazing fundraising achievements. We have just welcomed home the team who took on our 350km cycle challenge through Vietnam and Cambodia in late November. The two-week trip was a stunning, if very hot and humid, exploration of two of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries, and raised a fantastic £27,000 for Kids Company. And we send our warmest good luck wishes to the die-hard pack of adventurers currently on top of the planet undertaking the Arctic Biathlon to raise money for Kids Company! We will have more to report on their icy adventures in the New Year. Finally, we are delighted to announce our Pico Aneto trip in May 2014! Join us in our attempt to conquer the highest peak in the Pyrenees (3404m). The two-day climb promises glorious spring weather, an ascent by torchlight to the gullies, and a steep, airy traverse to the peak for sunrise! A sprinkling of snow cover on the glacier will mean ice axes, crampons and ropes, and confident climbers only. To find out how to get involved please contact chloe.hill@kidsco.org.uk.
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MEET THE STAFF We talk a lot about our frontline staff and the amazing work they do, but keeping the whole charity afloat is a mammoth job that only the toughest, most hardworking and organised team can manage. Without them we would be lost, so this month we celebrate Sue Foster, who created and now manages the case files of every child in Kids Company. How did you begin to work for Kids Company? I had heard Camila talking on the radio and was struck by some things she said about the kids she worked with, so I decided to volunteer, and began sorting out the press cuttings. Off the back of this I was employed to sort the company papers and finally was asked if I would make up case files for the kids. ‘It should only take three weeks’, they said. That was eight years ago! In between I have done a spell on the front line at Sherborne House and keyworked a young man. What’s a typical day for you? It is very varied. We make sure all the kids’ confidential paperwork is sorted into alphabetical order so that everything can be found quickly and easily, as they are constantly being used by keyworkers and researchers. Assessments are entered, scanned and uploaded onto Aurora, our bespoke digitised client database. Then files are made up for every single
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individual and family, and entered on the filing database so we can track them in the ever-expanding filing cabinets. My team of six staff and volunteers are kept busy updating them, and I am forever finding ways to accommodate the constant stream of papers that come into the filing room. How has kids company changed you? Well I have seen and read so much, some things happy and some very sad. I’ve been part of the organisation growing to where it is now. And Kids Company has helped me to help my family, especially in finding my way through the school system to help my dyslexic grandson get the support he needs and deserves. It’s an environment in which you never stop learning. Why do you work for Kids Company? The filing room and the kids’ papers are central to the organisation. Each file tells a story. When I started I was on a mission to make the files and filing room work… it is in good order now, but because of the constant stream of papers I am still striving to get everything recorded, up to date and into the files. The more clients we support the more my mission goes on…and on…and on! You could say it’s become a way of life.
MEET THE VOLUNTEER Cleo at Urban Academy says: “Geoff has been volunteering with us at the Urban Academy for 14 months, and he runs our Young Entrepreneurs Group, which develops the business skills and aspirations of our young people who aspire to running a business of their own. Geoff is an inspiration for his calm, professional and warm approach.” How did you become involved in Kids Company? Back in 2008 I had been following Camila’s progress, and chanced upon a Kids Company presentation at St Martin’s-in-the-Field. I was so moved by the talk that I offered my services as a mentor. What struck you about the Urban Academy when you arrived? The energy and spontaneity of the young people; the competence and commitment of the staff; the mixture of order in chaos!
people’s self-perception from disengaged, low self-esteemed victims of society to vibrant, enthusiastic, self-confident youngsters setting out to achieve their dreams, and turning their pasts from a dead-weight to their power-house for the future has been truly inspiring. And seeing students grow in stature as they realise unknown talents and achieve what they believed impossible. If you could say anything to any future potential volunteers what would it be? Suspend you own preconceptions, and be prepared to learn and to adapt. Volunteering at the Urban Academy is a great way to give something back and a rare opportunity to make a real difference to a young person’s life. You.
What have you found the most challenging thing? While mentoring, waiting for young people who didn’t turn up! And learning not to be rebuffed when young people are upset and angry. What has been your favourite moment? One big favourite moment from 2008 to 2013 has been teaching the Young Entrepreneurs business skills course at the Urban Academy. Helping shift young 37
MEET THE TRUSTEE What led you to Kids Company? About 8 years ago I visited the Urban Academy and Kenbury and was amazed and inspired by the Kids Company staff and the children and young people. And then I met Camila...! What does Kids Company mean to you? Kids Company occupies a very important place in my life. It is a constant source of inspiration and I marvel at the quality and dedication of the staff who work there. The challenges that many of our young people face are a constant reminder of how lucky I am, but also of how much needs to be done to protect and support vulnerable young people. What’s been your favourite moment as a trustee of the charity? I have so many happy memories of Kids Company; I don’t think I could choose just one. Every time I come to Kids Company I feel excited by the energy and enthusiasm. It’s always a very positive place to be.
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Where do you see Kids Company in 10 years time? In 10 years time I hope that Kids Company is properly funded and that the exceptional work that Camila and her staff do is valued and recognised by many more people, and the Kids Company model has been replicated in many other cities. If you had three wishes, what would they be? That every child feels loved, that every child feels safe and protected and that every child believes they have a future.
MAKE A DONATION At our busiest time of year, we are so grateful for the generous support of all our donors. To be part of the wonderful group of Kids Company angels who play such a vital role in supporting our children through these difficult weeks, please do make any donation you can. Online: Visit our website at www.kidsco.org.uk and click ‘Donate now’ or donate via our Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/ KidsCompanyChristmas By text: Text ‘Kids Help’ to 70700 to make a £5 donation (If you want to donate more, you can send multiple texts) By cheque: Please made cheques out to ‘Kids Company’ and send to: Kids Company Fundraising 38-40 Wedge House Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NZ Please get in touch and speak to any of our team if you feel you can help in any way. Call 0845 644 6838 and ask to speak to the fundraising team.
On behalf of all the children and young people we will be helping at Christmas, thank you!
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A letter we got sent from Nico and Lola who did a lemonade stand for us. Adorable! 40
“ Well done Kids Company, you give me hope for the future of compassion for all children in desperate circumstances, thank you” Sharon Chambers “ I have never forgotten how much warmth and love is to be found in the Arches, and I hope this helps more children share it this Christmas.” Clare Burns “ Warmest good wishes to your family of children restored to life by love and fun” Anon “ Yesterday I bought for my grand nephews and niece, and today I will buy for your children”, Susan Bowie “ Thank you for all the wonderful and selfless work that you do. You inspire so many people to follow in your footsteps” Karin Crane “ Dear precious children who turn to Kids Company: you are very smart to do so! Sometimes many of us feel alone but together we can share some beautiful love. May you find this precious love!” Eszter Rajna
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THANKS TO... Wholefoods who have contributed so much food towards our food parcels through their in-store Christmas appeal. Bloomberg Feather Down Farm for welcoming our children and young people to their fabulous farms Big Yellow Storage who kindly donated their services and much needed storage space in Bristol for our children’s clothes and presents. Restaurant Associates for helping us with all the food for our Christmas Lunch and contributing towards our food parcels. Bristol Storage Andrew Webster at AstraZeneca UK Ltd for his invaluable support Everyone at Headmasters for their fantastic support this year fundraising and providing hundreds of school uniforms A big thank you to Leiths School of Food and Wine for 500 cup cakes, fundraising and Gala Dinner support Damien Hirst and everyone at Science Ltd. Sir Peter Blake and Jemima Dury We are so grateful to every person who sends their love and financial support to Kids Company. We treasure the encouragement you send our children, and although we could never find enough paper to thank each one of you in person, we have chosen to mention some of our monthly donors below. A hearty, loving and profound thank you! goes to: Matthew Custance, Melanie Chalke, Mr and Mrs Stanfield, Graham Ross, Rosemary Oliver, Chika Akizawa, Stella Ekebuisi, Sebastian Lazareno, Andrew Maynard, Thomas Baker who donate monthly to Kids Company.
Supported by Big Yellow Self Storage. Storage for homes and business www.bigyellow.co.uk 42
OUR MAJOR DONORS: Corporate Supporters Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO Limited Actomed Limited Alexander McQueen Alta Advisers Limited American Express Andrew Winch Designs ANMFS Limited Arcadia Group plc Artemis ASOS.com Limited Astra Zeneca UK Limited Autumn Paper Limited B&Q Bank of America Banya Foster Agency Barclays Bank plc Barclays Capital Barclays GFTS Barclays Global Community Investment Bearing Point Berry Brothers & Rudd Blackrock International Blick Rothenberg Bluebolt Limited Boden Boston Consulting Group BNY Mellon The Bounce Effect Burberry Candy & Candy Capital Generation Partners LLP Caxton Associates CBRE Circleplane Limited Chapman Black Cochlear Colt The Comedy Store Concerto Group Control Risks Group Covent Garden Group Foundation Custom House Limited David Jameson Limited Davis Gregory Limited D Evans & Company Limited Diamonds and Daisy Chains DLA Piper The Dorchester Dorling Kindersley Douglas & Gordon Drake & Morgan Driven Worldwide Elemis Ella’s Kitchen Essel Design LLP Eversheds LLP Eyestrom Falcons Prep School Parents’ Association Falkner House School Financial Dynamics FirstRand Bank Freshfields Galt Educational Good Works GPT Halverton Limited Grazia Guoman Group Hammonds LLP Hammerson Group
Management Limited Hampstead Women’s Group Harrodian School Parents Committee Hasbro HBOS Headmasters Herbert Smith LLP Heyday Films Limited Horseshoe Theatre HSBC HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited HSBC in the Community Impact Executives Incisive Media IMG Sports Organisers Inchcape Infomax Informa Iris ITV plc Jenson8 Limited Jones Day Joseph Limited JP Morgan Keegan & Pennykid KMI Brands Limited KPMG The Lake House Lansdowne Partners Limited Latham & Watkins LLP Leiths School of Food and Wine Lexis PR Limited Liberty Ltd Liquidnet Europe Limited Little Beau Chic Little Bridge World LK Bennett Logica UK Limited London Stock Exchange LSE Student Union Stella McCartney M & G Investments Marchday Group plc Marsh MC Partners Merrill Lynch Metro Urban Action Michael O’Mara Books Mince Pie Project Mindcom Internet Limited Mitsubishi Securities Mizuho Monmouth Coffee Company Moonpig Foundation Mothers4Children Nina Campbell Limited Northern Trust Ocean Partners Octopus Ventures Orchid Advisory Orthet Limited Ovens & Co. Pearson Pell & Bales Peters & Peters LLP Petrofac Services Primavera Financial Partners
PSD Group PriceWaterhouseCoopers QBE European Operations Rabobank International Radley & Company Radley College Real Asset Management Real Love Cards Redburn Partners Reed Elsevier UK The Reed Foundation Reiss Limited Ridler & Company Roy Kirkham & Company Limited Royal Mail Rupert Sanderson M & C Saatchi UK Limited Samsung Sap UK Schering Plough Science Limited Selfridges Shell International Shire Global Financial Shire Pharmaceutical Simmons & Simmons LLP Simply Business Sisley Sketch – Sacred River Limited Societe Generale Sotheby’s Spina Design Star Lizard Standard Chartered Bank Steerpike Limited Taylor Wessing LLP Ten Intelligence Terra Firma Capital Partners Limited This Works Limited The White Company Time Warner Limited Topshop Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Trace PR Trafigura Limited Trinity Mirror Limited Turcan Connell Turley Associates Us Two Value Click Virgin Active Virgin Atlantic Virgin Media Virgin Mobile Vogue WACL Waitrose Watson, Farley & Williams LLP What If William Morris Endeavour Wilson Solicitors LLP Workspace Management Limited Zolfo Cooper Trusts and Foundations Addo Trust Alex and William de Winton Trust Alfred Tankel Charitable
Trust Angus Lawson Memorial Trust Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation Big Lottery Fund Blue Door Fundation Broomwood Hall Parents Association Bryan Adams Foundation CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation Clothworkers Foundation Comic Relief Cullum Family Trust Donald Forrester Trust Drum Trust Edward S Hogg Charitable Trust Elizabeth & Prince Zaiger Trust Elizabeth Frankland Moore & Star Foundation Eranda Foundation Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Expat Foundation Fulham FC Foundation George Oliver Foundation Global Hyatt Foundation Hearn Foundation Holbeck Charitable Trust The Hon M L Astor’s 1969 Charity Ice Futures Charitable Trust JMG Foundation John Thaw Foundation Kerbascol Trust Light Fund Macintosh Foundation Marchday Charitable Trust Mothers4Children Nomura Charitable Trust Peters Storrs Trust Raff Trust Roan Charitable Trust Rosemarie Nathanson Charitable Trust Sheepdrove Trust Sigrid Rausing Trust Sofronie Foundation Sovereign Art Foundation Specialist Schools and Academies Trust St James’s Place Foundation St Michael’s Missions Talisman CharitableTrust Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust United St Saviour’s Charity J Van Mars Foundation vInspire Virgin Unite Vitol Charitable Foundation Vodafone Foundation Volant Charitable Trust The Waterloo Foundation Weinbren Charitable
Trust The Wheat Sheaf RIP William Wates Memorial Trust Woodcock Family Charitable Trust
A Howard Martin Hughes Robin Klein Dr J E M Latham B H R M Lefebvre du Prey B Linden Government Joanna Lumley J & B Lupton YSDF Westminster City Council J Macleod R S & F Martin-Jenkins Greenwich Education Michael McIntyre A McGhee Individual Funders Harvey McGrath K Adam D Mickler A Aicher Helen Mirren Rosemary Airey Declan & Margaret L Alonso Mohaghan T Astor & S Boyt Brian Clifford Monahan R Airey P B & H J Moorhead R & S Atkinson P&S Neal Roger Barton & Alison M Nolan Finlay Margaret Nygren C Blakiston M O’Mara G I & A S Bohn Gillian M & R W Page G M Boothroyd S Parker S Borrows Stefano Paschetto WJ Bradley J S Pearson P W & C Brakspear J R Pearson Dr P Brien P Pearson J Brooks V Percival B Brown Mr & Mrs Perepilichny D M Burney H Perry Richard M Bursby Christopher PowellJim Caven-Atack & Smith Janet Taylor K Price J & J Clarke S Joyce Pringle Mrs T M Cohen J Pyrah A Connan & K Anthoney S A M Reed Hilary Cook J Reilly T J Curran A Reynolds Jonathan Davie Francesca Robinson P G & G R Davies S & B Roden M R Debord L M Salisbury Gaby Dellal S. Salway P Deneef N R Sanson A D’Offay S Sastry V L Dumble Marc Scrihire E Frank & Mrs L M R & S Selkirk Dunphy D Shaffer V Economou D Shamash B E Edgell E Smith Mrs Isabel M B Ettedgu John Spiers M.Ewing Michael Strode Hani Farsi T Styler A Featherstone T Tabatznik L&G Ferrari Z Vartis Deborah Finkler J P Vassallo N WA Fitzgerald A Voller R Flaherty Paul J & S Michelle M M Fleming Walsh P B & S S Freegard E & M Watson Geoffrey French L & T Watson Sir P. Green J & S K Webb K. Grimm D Weston Sascha Hackel T Whyte M S Haggiag Nicholas Wildgoose J. Hands Gary J & S Jo Anne L John Hare Willcox P M & S J Harris Ann Winn Mr C R & Mrs G S Peter Wood Haskins J Woodley T Hearn Joan Woolard Mrs H Heslop S M Zakaria C L Hilgendorf P Hinsel Damien Hirst Drusilla Hohenstein
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The child is being harmed by her parents. She imagines a cat coming out of a cup to eat them. (Artwork by a Kids Company young person)
www.kidsco.org.uk Registered Charity Number 1068298
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