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December Newsletter
We're Hiring!
We are seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead our Board as we build on our 2020 Strategy.
SWIM FREE
Swim Free has been created to provide free swimming lessons for children and young people from serving Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families, aligned to the Swim England and Scottish Swimming Pathways.
Funded by Greenwich Hospital and delivered in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation, Swim Free also provides an opportunity for families to build new connections and support their sense of belonging within the Royal Navy community.
Learning to swim is an essential life skill for young people, but also supports and helps them maintain positive mental health, grow their confidence, resilience, and willingness to try new things – all while keeping active.
We are currently establishing a network of delivery centres across the UK, with the first lessons underway at CTCRM Lympstone, Exmouth. Portsmouth will be the next location to launch, with lessons starting in January 2025. You can book lessons or register your interest at https://swim-free.org.uk/, as well as find out lots of helpful information on the programme. If you have registered your interest, the Swim Free team will contact you as soon as lessons come online in your area.
If you have any questions, you can contact the outreach team on enquiries@swim-free.org.uk.
Novembers Newsletter
As part of our ongoing collaboration across all three Services to improve the outcomes of our Children and Young People (CYP), The Naval Children’s Charity provided funding for the SCIP Alliance to develop a set of 50 case studies in the Thriving Lives Toolkit Case Study Bank, a new tool aimed at assisting schools in better supporting Service children. This brilliant initiative seeks to offer schools a collection of evidence-based examples of best practices to help in evaluating their progress by using the Thriving Lives Toolkit self-assessment.
The initial seven case studies are now accessible to schools nationwide, showcasing practical implementations of the seven principles of effective support in real school settings. They represent a variety of primary and secondary schools in different phases of the self-assessment process—emerging, developing, and embedding—and cater to the unique needs of Service children across diverse school environments, ranging from those with only a few to those with many Service children.
The case study bank will serve as a searchable database, enabling school staff to learn from the experiences of others and apply valuable insights to their own contexts. Each question within the Toolkit has been exemplified as part of this project, aiding schools in recognizing successful practices within their own settings and identifying steps for enhancing support. Ultimately, a total of 50 case studies will be published, creating a comprehensive resource that will continue to support schools as they work with our Service CYP.
The Thriving Lives Toolkit helps all Service children, so I urge you to ask your child’s school if they have engaged with the Thriving Lives Toolkit to ensure that they are providing best practice for supporting your child.
With education in mind, the UCAS website has a whole host of new information on there, young people from Year 9 can start looking at it rather than waiting until nearer the time they want to apply for university.
The website now includes:
- Career guides, industry guides and employer guides
- Taster courses
- Virtual work experience
- Apprenticeship opportunities
There are also teacher toolkits on there for Service children plus other cohorts, and schools have access to the UCAS Outreach Connection Services, however next year this will be available on the hub for all. You’ll find all the information here.
We are thrilled to announce that in 2025 we will celebrate the bicentenary of The Naval Children’s Charity, marking 200 years of support to the children of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families. Over the past two centuries, the Charity has evolved from our original orphanages to our delivery today, improving the wellbeing and resilience of Naval children, and we continue to make a meaningful difference in their lives. This incredible milestone reflects the Charity’s enduring commitment to helping families navigate the unique challenges of Naval life. We will be celebrating throughout 2025, we plan on hosting a number of events and initiatives, and asking you to join us, support us, raise money for us and be part of our future. Please keep your eyes on our website and social media channels to find out more.
Best wishes,
Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity
Christmas Pottery Workshops
We have two FREE Christmas Pottery Workshops coming up...
- Sat 30th Nov, 10am-midday (ages 6-15) with Fat Clay Pottery in Southsea
- Sat 7th Dec, 10:30am-12:30pm (ages 8-15) with Poppins Potter in Torquay.
The sessions will give children the chance to get hands on with pottery, be creative and make their own seasonal masterpiece!
Sessions are run by qualified and experienced instructors who can support the children with their creative processes.
BREAKING NEWS – for Royal Naval families
In light of the recent decision by the new Government to implement VAT on school fee starting January 2025, we understand that this may create unexpected financial strain for some of our families. To assist those affected, we the Naval Children’s Charity, in partnership with Greenwich Hospital, have established a hardship fund to provide financial support to eligible families.
To be eligible, at least one parent must still be serving, and the child/children must be at a critical stage of their education or have additional needs. Please note that families receiving CEA will not be eligible to apply for this fund.
To confirm your eligibility, you will find a short form here, which will need to be completed. Once you have successfully completed this form, you will be able to download the full application form.
The completed application form, along with the required supporting documents, must be submitted to us by Friday 13th December. Unfortunately, applications that are incomplete or submitted past this deadline will not be considered.
For full details, please click here.
PGL’s multi-activity camp
Time for an adventure at a three night multi-activity camp with PGL!
We have 5 fully funded places available at PGL’s multi-activity camp this October half term. The 3 night DISCOVER! Adventure offers young people an opportunity to experience a whole range of new activities, make new friends and build their confidence and social skills. The camp will take place at Marchant’s Hill, Surrey where activities on offer may include Archery, Climbing, Forest walks, Orienteering, Raft Building, Zip wire and many more!
The dates are Saturday 26th – Tuesday 29th October and the camp is for 11-13 year olds.
This residential camp is all-inclusive, so all activities, food, drink and accommodation are covered. Support with transport costs will also be available for those that need it.
Register your interest here.
Winter Warmth Network
Looking for quick and easy support to help with your energy bills this winter?
Lightning Reach is a free, secure online portal that helps you find and apply for financial assistance – all in one place. Whether you need help covering rising energy costs, making your home more energy-efficient, or affording winter essentials, Lightning Reach is here to connect you with the support you need.
Lightning Reach matches users to over 2,500 schemes from charities, organisations, and councils across the UK, with successful applicants receiving £1,070 on average*.
Here’s how it works:
- Fill out a simple profile: In just 10-15 minutes, answer a few questions on the website, and Lightning Reach will generate a personalised list of financial support options available to you. This includes targeted help with energy bills, home improvements to boost energy efficiency, warm clothing, and essential winter supplies.
- Apply for support: Apply directly through the portal to multiple programs without having to repeatedly enter your information. From grants to local council funding, you’ll find everything in one place.
- Get support quickly: Lightning Reach streamlines the process, gathering all the information needed for organisations to assess your application, so you can receive help faster.
Lightning Reach uses modern, secure technology to protect your information, ensuring your details and documents are kept safe.
Sign up for Lightning Reach today to see how much you could save on your energy bills this winter.
Visit Lightning Reach at https://www.lightningreach.org/application-portal
Lydia & Guy
Going to great heights support us!!
Wow, wow, wow… A massive thank you to Lydia and Guy who braved a Skydive to fund raise for us. The duo managed to raise a whooping £1200!! Thank you both so very much. 
Richie England
Say hello to Richie England! This legend is cycling 50 miles each day for 50 days… a WHOOPING total distance of 2500 miles to raise funds for us, the RMA, Rock To Recover and the Association of Royal Navy Officers ARNO & Royal Navy Officers’ Charity RNOC.
We wish Richie all the very best in his mammoth venture and look forward to regular updates.
If you’d like to sponsor Richie, then please head here 
https://www.justgiving.com/…/richard-england-1722263249677
Trustee Recruitment
The Naval Children’s Charity supports the wellbeing and development of children and young people from Royal Navy and Royal Marine families (including the Reserves and Royal Fleet Auxiliary), serving and veteran, in recognition of the unique situations they and their families face.
The only one of our Armed Forces to have a dedicated Children’s Charity, our vision is that every RN and RM child and young person has their spirit and talent unlocked, giving them a brighter future and helping them to realise their full potential.
For those in crisis we provide financial grants in support, mental health and wellbeing support and signposting and partnerships to improve the quality of life and address the range of needs our children experience. In 2023/24 we spent £2.5m on delivering our welfare services, helping over 2,200 children and young people.
Could you help us to continue to change the lives of our children now and in the future by becoming a trustee?
We are seeking two trustees to join us in Autumn 2024 for an initial term of three years: one trustee with experience of Digital/IT and one to support Finance/Funding to support our growing programmes by helping the Charity in developing new income streams. Experience of RN service is an advantage. Both roles are voluntary, however reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid.
For more information about the role please download the information pack below or contact Jo McEvoy, Head of Finance on jo.mcevoy@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk
The closing date for applications is 4th October 2024.
Interviews will be held Oct 24 (TBA)
We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role irrespective of their background, community, industry or protected characteristics.
We operate safer selection practices, and this will involve the successful candidate being required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We reserve the right to close this campaign early if sufficient applications are received. No agencies please.
