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RAISING THE BAR
RAISING THE BAR STORIES
For me it was a safe haven
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Leeds volunteer bullied as a child urges people to play their part for children by becoming a Childline counsellor A volunteer from Leeds is urging more people to volunteer with Childline to help support young people continuing to struggle with the repercussions of the pandemic. 24-year-old Julia Plazzi from Leeds, who has been volunteering at the Yorkshire Childline base since 2017, is urging people to show their support for the children’s charity and be there for children whose lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic. Julia said: “I had contacted Childline as a young girl myself, I had faced bullying when I was younger because of my dual nationality and for me it was a safe haven, somewhere to talk. Then I remember Childline coming into my school, we had a day of learning about becoming a peer support mentor, I got a certificate and then at lunchtime friends could come and talk to me if ever they were feeling upset. So those experiences made me realise I always wanted to be there for young people.” The Yorkshire Childline base in the heart of Leeds city centre is one of 12 Childline bases across the UK, delivering counselling sessions to children and young people about everything from abuse, neglect and suicide to relationship breakdowns, exam stress and mental health concerns. But Leeds is one of only two bases in the UK to take online contacts only. This means that specially trained counsellors in Leeds only offer confidential advice either via email or live chat messages. But no matter where children and young people live, they can contact Childline via the phone or online and will be put through to the first available counsellor.
Rollits raises thousands for Dove House
Leading law firm Rollits LLP has handed over thousands of pounds to a regional hospice after revamping its regular fundraising events to offer Covid-safe alternatives. Rollits is now looking forward to generating more donations for Dove House Hospice by resuming other activities including the return of the firm’s annual golf day. Pat Coyle, Client Relations Director at Rollits, said: “The restrictions of the last year have had a severe impact on all charities and our usual programme of fundraising events has been heavily disrupted. We’re therefore particularly pleased that we were still able to raise well over £3,000 to help Dove House Hospice with its work caring for people in Hull and East Yorkshire and we are doubly determined to build on that by bringing back the golf day this year. “We’re confident that with the recent lifting of restrictions, the pent-up demand for a return to sporting activities will mean that golfers are keen to support good causes and we’re hoping that will help us attract a lot of participants for the golf day.” Jethro Shearring, Regional Fundraiser for Dove House Hospice, said: “Over the last year the pandemic has provided a huge number of both clinical and fundraising challenges at Dove House Hospice. The enforced closure of the hospice’s charity shops and cancellation of a number of fundraising events has meant that the support of the community has been more vital than ever. “Having been there for our patients and their loved ones for over 25 years, Rollits embody this generosity and consistently go the extra mile.”
Green light for refugee allotment project funding
A project providing refugees with allotment plots amongst the York community has won extra funding. York St John staff and students have been working in association with Refugee Action York to provide community allotment spaces for refugees. Jointly led by Fiona Howlett, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, and Dr Hannah Spring, Senior Lecturer in Research and Evidence-Based Practice at York St John University, the project transformed a disused allotment on Haxby Road in York into a beautiful space ready for planting and growing. At the heart of the project is the building of relationships, integrating refugees into the York community and providing meaningful activity. Extra funding has just been awarded from the Growing Green Spaces Fund towards travel costs to enable refugees to get to and from the site on a regular basis. Transport was identified as a barrier, and so the funding will meet this need head on. Dr Hannah Spring said: “We welcome this additional funding and the opportunity to continue this meaningful work. We have already seen relationships building as the allotment community welcomed project users into a WhatsApp group, offering seed exchange, equipment and advice. “For refugees, growing food and flowers can also help them connect with their own heritage through the growing of culturally relevant foods. It can also help to develop personal independence away from statutory services and begin to sustain relationships within the community.”
OPPORTUNITIES
Will you Give A Duck?
The Give A Duck Foundation is a Wakefield based charity supporting children with cancer. They provide Chemo Ducks which are fitted with medical lines to mirror those of the child. They are used in preparation for the many challenging and, sometimes painful treatments the children have to endure. Huggable Hopes are provided for siblings. It costs the charity £25 to provide a Duck so they would like to invite companies to raise £25. In return they will receive advice, support and thanks, on behalf of the children, from the charity. In addition they will be able to have a huge sense of pride knowing they have had such a positive effect on children taking on the challenge of a lifetime. A simple, achievable ask which will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable children and their families.
West Yorkshire Wish Appeal
When You Wish Upon a Star has a simple mission, to grant the Wishes of children aged 4 – 16 living with a life threatening illness. Our Wishes have the power to transform the lives of the children and families we work with and since 1990 we have proudly granted over 18,500 across the UK. We are a small national charity which receives no Government funding and are reliant on donations from individuals and organisations such as yours. The COVID pandemic has meant that many of our Wishes have sadly but necessarily had to be put on hold and many of our Wish children are shielding. We currently have over 100 children on our Wish list and we are working hard to generate the funds to grant all these Wishes when it is safe to do so. We currently have 4 Wishes on hold in West Yorkshire which we anticipate will cost £12,000.
Help in maintaining waterways.
Canal and River Trust are the charity that look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways – because we believe that life is better by water. At the trust we work with volunteers and communities across England and Wales to transform canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time, reflect and recharge. In West Yorkshire 26% of the population live with 1KM of a waterway, showing that they are a valuable asset for recreation and enjoyment as well as commuting. We are looking to work with business to help us maintain and improve the network. In turn we can help engage, inspire and motivate your employees through a unique hands-on team day or develop a longer partnership to ensure your business makes a real difference to the local community and environment.
PLEDGES
We pledge to make a difference by further developing our team and continuing to host fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for our chosen charity partners.
Garbutt + Elliott
We pledge to support causes local to our geographical foot print and beyond through fundraising, donations, sponsorship and committing our time to these causes outside of working hours.
Chadwick Lawrence LLP
We pledge, through our education and community partnerships, to provide support and funding to children and young people in disadvantaged areas of Bradford, to help them achieve their potential through educational and aspirational opportunities.
Provident Financial Group.
We pledge to support our nominated
Charity, Bradford Central Foodbank, with vital supplies as well as giving funding to local sporting clubs for kit, equipment and facilities.
TF Automation
We pledge to provide weekly term time online reading sessions to support children in Bradford improve their literacy skills.
Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants
We pledge to reach our target to remove none-recyclable plastics from the catering operation by 2022.