Autumn 2021
Find out how Coram is bringing love and opportunity to children’s lives through creativity and the arts
How Coram is inspiring hope through art and creativity Coram is a specialist group of children’s charities with expertise in adoption, education, early years support, children’s rights and advocacy. We also train sector professionals and develop innovation and insight to achieve best practice in children’s services. Through this wide range of specialisms we aim to provide all children, but particularly those who need the extra support, with the love and opportunity they need to thrive. Dear friends, Over the last 16 months we’ve seen how vital art and creativity is for young people’s wellbeing. Sadly the proof has come because so many have been deprived of it, missing out on opportunities to express themselves, collaborate with peers, surmount challenges and grow in confidence as a result. At Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation we witness every year the transformational effect of our projects on children across the country. Children who receive free school meals who have never stepped into an arts venue. Children learning English as an additional language, on a level playing field with their classmates as they explore Shakespeare’s strange and beautiful texts. Children with complex physical and cognitive needs, whose parents would never have imagined them starring in a play. Never have opportunities for these students been more vital than in this changed and changing world. With your help, our focus is now on reaching those whom the pandemic has left behind. On behalf of those young people, thank you for enabling us to bring joy, creativity and playfulness back into their lives. Francesca Ellis Head of Creative and Programmes Coram SSF 2
The arts have long been entwined with the story of Coram and our efforts to drive change for better chances for children. In the past, art and the support of artists were hugely important to the success of the Foundling Hospital, with the composer Handel and artist William Hogarth among those involved in fundraising for the new institution. Art and creativity remain at the heart of our organisation today, from the work of our Creative Therapies team helping children to build emotional resilience, to giving young people the confidence to succeed through performing in the annual Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival. Through our specialist use of the arts, Coram supports all children, from infancy to independence.
Invitation to performance of Messiah in the Chapel 1st May 1750. Held by the Foundling Hospital archive.
We invite you to join us in celebrating some of our amazing children and young people who, through art and creativity, have seen their confidence grow and been given the love and opportunity they need to thrive.
Contents 4-5 Art and Loving Families 6
Creating Community through Creativity
7
Leaving a Gift in your Will
8-10 Providing Opportunities in the Arts 11
A Thank You to Our Supporters
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Get Involved 3
Art and loving families Creative Therapies Coram’s Creative Therapies offer therapeutic support to children who have faced trauma, such as being removed from their birth family or travelling to the UK alone. Through art and music therapy these children can express themselves and begin to process their experiences whilst being supported by psychologists and psychotherapists.
been through court proceedings. We also provided groups for adoptive parents to help them to offer a calm and attuned response to their children’s emotional distress or anger. In partnership with City of London Children’s Social Care Services we have helped to develop creative mental health support for unaccompanied young people in the care system.
Last year, 154 children attended Creative Therapies sessions and 36 children accessed music therapy through Harmony, our new virtual music group for children who have
For so many children our Creative Therapies can be the first step towards dealing with their trauma so they can start to learn to trust, love and lead happier lives. Over 90% of parents reported their child’s behavioural issues improved, reporting; • Increased concentration and attention skills • Improved family and social relationships • Enhanced communication and speech skills • Increased confidence
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Adoption Activity Days Adoption Activity Days give children who are awaiting adoption and prospective adopters the chance to come together and interact through fun activities including arts and crafts. At these unique family finding events, children and potential adopters can see if they establish an emotional connection and take what may be the first step in building a safe and loving home. Despite the recent challenges for a service reliant on face-to-face interaction, we were able to run Adoption Activity Days each time lockdown was eased, taking place outside with safe social distancing. During the last year, 150 children attended ten Adoption Activity Days and 29 were matched with adoptive parents. Being adopted into safe, loving and permanent homes provides these children with the opportunities they need to thrive. These events have proved vital in helping children who may have often
waited longer to be placed with a family, giving prospective adopters a chance to see the personality of the children behind their profiles. Laura, who met her son Sam at an activity day, explains:
If you just read a child’s paperwork, you don’t really get a sense of who they are. And for children with disabilities, it’s easy to focus on the disability and not actually see the child. Sam’s got his own set of challenges but he’s unique and he’s just perfect. I went down to interact with the children at an Adoption Activity Day, and as soon as I saw him, I just thought; he is my son. 5
Creating community through creativity The Adoptables The Adoptables is a self-named network of regional groups for adopted young people between the ages of 13 and 25. Coram’s network provides care experienced young people with a platform to drive change by expressing their views and experiences of adoption. Using their innovation, insight and creativity the Adoptables are assisting schools up and down the country to help their students and staff to understand the issues often facing adopted children through their School’s Toolkit. The free toolkit includes lesson plans, guidance, films and activities. One Head Teacher remarked, “Our team love the resource. There is nothing else available and this is very much needed.”
empowering for many of the young people involved, as Jake who was adopted aged 11 and is now an ambassador for the network says; “As a part of the Adoptables, I really believe we can push for improvements to the adoption and fostering system, by bridging the gap between social workers and the children they are meant to help. Each young person has an equal chance to bring about change, and I believe this should be reciprocated in the wider world. Every young person should have an equal chance.”
The sense of community created by the Adoptables network is You can find out more about how Coram are empowering care experienced young people and read Jake’s full interview on our website at www.coram.org. uk/case-study/meet-jake-ambassador-adopted-young-people 6
Give love and opportunity to help children thrive for generations to come The last 18 months have prompted many of us to reflect on the things that matter the most – family, friends and the causes close to our heart. We’ve also been reminded of the value of planning for the future, to help look after the things we care about most. Remember a Charity Week, from 6 to 12 September, is the perfect opportunity to consider passing on something wonderful by leaving a gift in your Will. After taking care of your family and friends, even a small amount can make a huge
impact. A gift in your Will could help us to provide the love and opportunity that children need to thrive for generations to come. Coram offers a free will-writing service through The National Free Wills Network to volunteers and supporters who are over the age of 55. There are, however, a limited number of wills that can be written each year and this offer is on a first come first serve basis. We also offer a quick, simple and supportive free online Will service through Guardian Angel. Find out more at on our website at www.coram.org.uk/ways-you-cangive/leave-us-gift-your-will. Rachael Corns, our Gift in Wills Manager, would be happy to answer any questions you may have. She is available Monday to Wednesday at rachael@coram.org.uk or on 020 7520 0306. 7
Providing opportunities in the arts Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation The world’s largest youth drama festival, led by Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, adapted to the Coronavirus pandemic by going virtual. Through this, we were able to increase access to the arts across the nation and provide more opportunities for children with additional needs. 224 schools showcased their students’ artistry during One Night of Shakespeare by filming their creative performances and broadcasting 8
them on our live stream. With messages of support from actors Emma Thompson, Hugh Dennis, Alfred Enoch and Simon Callow, and supported by Art Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund, students enthralled an online audience with their inspirational performances of Shakespeare’s work. The Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation provides access to performance opportunities that help children and young people to develop confidence and enrich their lives through the arts. Most importantly
we provided participants with an enjoyable and educational experience during this difficult year. The Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation can be life-changing for many children, just like Tyler*, a 13-year-old student who had been moved to his school’s specialist intervention unit but was desperate to return to mainstream education. His drama teacher Harriet Baynham-Williams cast Tyler in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival. It was a role Tyler made his own, he worked with our theatre professional to develop his own idea for a play within a play. Renaming his character ‘Trumpet’ and devising an original introduction where he marched out onto the stage and told the audience he was the real director and what they were about to see was really a work in progress. “Will it be A Midsummer Night’s Dream or A Midsummer’s Nightmare?” he asked.
the audience I thought ‘game on’. I react well to a crowd and when I’m on stage I feel like I want to make them laugh.” “I’ve seen a huge difference in his behaviour and his focus,” Harriet told us, “his attitude to learning in general has improved massively. He used to hate writing. But now he sees the links between writing and other opportunities his attitude towards it has changed.” Following his performance, it was decided that Tyler would re-join mainstream lessons full time. Not only has Tyler now joined the school drama club but he also joined the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), where he was rewarded with the privilege of carrying the flag for his exemplary behaviour. “For Tyler, taking part in the Festival has been truly life-changing,” says Harriet.
It was a bold creative move that greatly empowered Tyler. “Stepping out onto that big stage was scary,” he says, “But when I heard To find out more about Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation visit our website at www.shakespeareschools.org/ *Stories are real but names have been changed and models used to protect confidentiality
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Voices Through Time Coram is ensuring the voices of care-experienced people are heard by telling their stories from 1739 (the year we were established as the Foundling Hospital) to today. More than 100 care-experienced young people aged 16 to 25 are directly involved in our Voices Through Time
programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Many are taking part in our range of creative projects, inspired by the Foundling archive to spread awareness and understanding of what life is like for a care-experienced young person. One of our ambassadors, Aaron, a 20 year old care-leaver, has written the fantastic piece, The Weight of the World, as part of our #RealStoriesOfCare campaign. Below is an excerpt from the poem, which you can watch as a spoken word performance on the Coram YouTube channel.
With the world on his shoulders, and a limp in his stride, and with all the eyes on him, and nowhere to hide, Daily battles with demons, he endures on inside, Monsters not of his making,
Another example of our Voices Through Time Ambassadors’ impressive creativity is their original performance, What’s in a Name, at the Arcola Theatre which explored their experiences of care and own identities through spoken word, music and rap, led by rap artist and care leaver, Ric Flo. One performer, Paige said; “I have met a group of awesome young people who have had similar experiences to me. We have become like a little family. 10
Though in him they reside. Though the world wants to judge him, or better ‘to guide’, when the demons come knocking, who’s stood by his side?
They have inspired me to better myself and get more involved with improving the lives of care-experienced people. We are ‘care leavers to care leaders!’”
Get involved Challenge 1739 launched last year and raised an amazing £16,000 for Coram! Can you help us beat that for 2021? Challenge 1739 is a fundraising event that you can really make your own. You can take inspiration from the numbers 1739, the year we were established as The Foundling Hospital. From cycling 17.39 miles to completing 1,739 sit ups, you can create your own challenge to help us support children from infancy to independence. Don’t take our word for it, hear why our participants took part.
People who know us have witnessed the life changing impact Coram can have on a family. Ours came from the team of people who worked with us through the adoption process and their continued support. We will forever be indebted to them and are privileged to be asked to fundraise and take part in Challenge 1739. When our little boy came home, life finally changed for the better. Our son saved us and is our hero. Never could we have dreamed that a child would be so perfect for us and our family. But none of this would be possible without Coram. Kelly O’Neill, Challenge 1739 participant 2020. Challenge 1739 takes place this October, you can register your interest to take part at www.coram.org.uk/challenge1739 11
A huge thank you to you, our supporters We are so grateful to all our supporters, who have played a major role in helping us continue to bring love and opportunity to hundreds of thousands of children across the UK through our education and early years programmes and directly supporting over 118,000 children, young people, parents and carers. Through your fundraising, donations and volunteering efforts, our supporters are a hugely important part of our Coram community and are the reason that we can continue to support children from infancy to independence. If you are interested in reading more about Coram’s work to create better chances for children, our Digest 20/21 details our work from the past year and is available on our website - www.coram.org.uk/about-us/ourreports-and-accounts Keep up to date on our Website: coram.org.uk Facebook @Coramsince1739
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If you have any questions please contact our supporter care team on Tel: 020 7520 0306 Email: supportercare@coram.org.uk The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children. Registered charity no. 312278 Established by Royal Charter in 1739. IG-2021-AN
