Our January newsletter is a particularly special edition, filled with fantastic opportunities for both our young people and adults as well.
First and foremost, it is truly remarkable to reflect on the fact that The Naval Children’s Charity has been supporting the children of Naval personnel in various ways for 200 years. Throughout this time, the ways in which we have provided support have evolved, from the original orphanages to current charitable initiatives. Our core focus has always been to prioritise the wellbeing and development of children, either through financial grants or more holistic wraparound support. Originally the orphanages provided direct aid through housing and education, we then diversified into proudly supporting children across the UK, from those facing crises to those coping with the challenges of service life and those seeking opportunities to improve their life outcomes. If you wish to delve deeper into the history of our Charity, kindly click here.
To celebrate this incredible milestone, we have launched an exciting competition for our young people. We are searching for talented young artists to craft a unique ‘200th birthday’ creation using one of our complimentary craft kits. It could be a birthday card, a collage depicting an historical event or even their personal experiences as a Naval child. Exciting prizes are up for grabs, including a £200 Merlin Voucher for the first prize winner. The competition is divided into two age categories: 3 – 8 years and 9 – 14 years. Further information can be found here
As you may be aware, in light of the decision taken by the Government to apply VAT to school fees, Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with the Naval Children’s Charity, set up a hardship fund to provide financial support to those who fulfill the certain criteria. We have extended the deadline to apply for this financial support to January 31st. All necessary details for application can be found here.
With education at the forefront, SCiP Alliance has announced dates for the next three sessions of the FREE Thriving Lives Toolkit Webinars, aimed at offering valuable insights and practical advice for supporting Service children in schools. The first session, scheduled for Thursday, 30th January at 4 pm, will focus on supporting Service Children in Schools with Small Cohorts. Featuring Charmian Hickman, CEO of the Armed Forces Education Trust, and leaders from Cwmclydach Primary School, this session will discuss effective support strategies and available grant opportunities. For more information and to register, please follow this link.
In further exciting news, we are once again teaming up with the Tall Ships Youth Trust to provide young individuals aged 12-16 the chance to participate in a fully funded 5-day voyage aboard a 72ft Challenger Yacht. In addition to acquiring new life skills and connecting with other Naval young people, participants will have the opportunity to gain recognised RYA qualifications and can use this experience towards Duke of Edinburgh Awards – no prior sailing experience required! For more details and to apply, click here.
Best wishes,
Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity
