Small Charity Impact: Recent Episodes
Small Charity Impact
Small charities and community organisations are the life-blood of London's local communities. We're here to capture some of the stories from their work that they can share with their supporters, beneficaries, funders and more.
Tamsyn Hyatt from Frameworks Institute offers tips on how to reframe issues for your audiences
Trevor Quy: We feel as an organisation Man & Boy is growing up and is starting to leave a footprint
Trevor Quy talks about some of the challenges they face as an organisation, especially in maintaining awareness among busy school staff and social workers that they are there to support men and boys who are struggling.
Trevor Quy shares a positive story of how Man & Boy can be 'a catalyst for some change' in a boy's life, giving them space to say how they're feeling in a safe environment.'
Trevor Quy talks about how Man & Boy support evolved as 'a mixture of fun and some kind of learning' through outdoor and indoor activities and trust-bullding exercises
Carmen, a member of Kingston Mencap talks about her interests and the best part of attnending Kingston Mencap's Seekers' Club.
Michelle Kitch describes how Kingston Mencap's work of providing activities and clubs for people with learning difficulties, and the management of the Searchlight Community Centre is building a sense of community.
John talks about what he enjoys about his volunteer role at Kingston Mencap and as a member of the Seekers' Club.
David Still, Adult Care Services Manager at Kingston Carers Network, describes what's involved in the in depth advice and support service they offer to carers, and the types of issues that carers are dealing with - from issues resulting from benefit changes to housing problems and employment etc.
Kate Dudley describes how Kingston Carers Network provides advice and support to young and adult carers in the borough who face a number of issues, including isolation, poverty, increasing caring responsibilities and challenges to their own health and wellbeing. Increasing demand for their services is compounded by the fact that changes to benefits are making it more difficult for carers. There are also hidden carers whom they are looking to reach out to through hospitals and GP surgeries.
Kingston resident and former police officer Trevor Quy shares the journey of how Man & Boy came about as a model for improving self-esteem among boys in transition who are struggling with life.
Wendy Tabuteau, Chief Executive of Partnership for Children, describes what's unique about Partnership for Children as a small team with a big impact that is promoting good mental health in primary school-aged children. She shares some of the challenges for the organisation, and how they plan to increase their reach among Kingston schools to help even more local children.
Hannah Craig from Partnership for Children talks about how the work with Dysart School for children with severe learning difficulties and autism came about. Six in ten children with special needs are likely to develop a mental health condition, according to a recent report (1 in 10 for children without special needs). Hannah describes how the programme helped the children to regulate their emotions, and how the Zippy's Friends resources were successfully adapted by teachers for their pupils.
Lizzie Poulton from Partnership for Children, talks about her role in managing and running Zippy's Friends and Apple's Friends mental health programmes for teachers in primary schools to help children build resilience and skills to better cope with everyday life issues. Zippy (pictured left) is a stick insect character that is a pet who the main character confides in, and the children identify with.
PR & Communications Support Volunteer Annaleise talks about the work of Kingston Samaritans to provide a safe place for people to talk about their challenges in whichever way they choose - email, telephone, face-to-face. Part of her role involves letting people in the community know that they are there, including those most at risk of suicide.
Mervyn talks about his experience as a listening ear for the past three years, and how he had to unlearn his previous skills as a social worker. He also talks about the little-known face-to-face work of the Kingston Samaritans, celebrating 50 years of service (2018).
Jackie gives her experience as a volunteer of 23 years, and talks about what prompted her to become a volunteer and the power of listening at a time when people often don't have time to listen to one another.