February Newsletter

Dates for your diaries...

As our thoughts turn to spring I’d like to highlight some poignant dates on the horizon.

On March 12th it is Young Carers Action Day and this year’s theme is “Give Me A Break”, focusing on the importance of rest and respite for young carers. Young carers carry a heavy burden of responsibility, leaving them with minimal time for themselves and placing them at a high risk of burnout. It is essential for them to take a break. Research shows that young carers are substantially more likely to experience severe psychological distress compared to their peers who do not have caregiving duties. They require time away from their caregiving roles to rest, rejuvenate, and prioritise their own needs, whether that involves pursuing a hobby or simply enjoying time with friends, just like others their age. If you know a young carer that could benefit from such respite, please do keep checking our ‘Life Chances’ page which will soon have a wide range of different opportunities available, to help our young carers enjoy the break they need in 2025.

And the support doesn’t end there for our Naval young carers, The Nexus Project aims to improve support, resources and access to services for young carers within Armed Forces families specifically. They recognise that issues can be exacerbated due to parent deployments, frequent house moves and living in secure military housing. The Nexus Project works with professionals from Armed Forces support services, young carers services, schools, the NHS, and others to drive change. For more information click here.

Now, imagine a week where we celebrate all the different ways people’s brains can work! That’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which will be celebrated from March 17th. This week aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. Keep your eyes on our website and social media channels to find out more.  If you have a neurodivergent child, then please do contact us to see how we can help you.  There is so much information out there it can be a bit overwhelming and talking it through with one of our team just might find something that can support you, your neurodivergent child and any other children in the family, particularly if you are also struggling with separation through deployment or weekending. We are just a phone call or email away 023 9263 9534 caseworkers@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

Our bicentenary celebrations are in full swing, and we can’t help but be reminded of our beginnings. We would be delighted to connect with anyone who, in the past, received support in one of our Children’s Homes. If you or a family member spent time with us, we invite you to reach out and share your experience.
If you were lucky enough to have received one of our free Craft Kits, please do get pictures of your ‘Birthday Creations’ into us ahead of the closing date on 14th March. The judging of this competition will be undertaken by members of our Youth Council, and already we don’t envy their job as we have had some incredible entries sent in. Remember, the design could be a birthday card, a collage representing an event from our history or even their own life as a Naval child. With a £200 Merlin voucher up for grabs for the 1st place, don’t miss your chance to win!

Is someone in your household considering University?
Thinking about university… whether or not to go, the financial implications, which course to study, and where – we know there’s a lot for families to consider and young people often have lots of questions. Which is why we’ve teamed up with The Brilliant Club!
Across June & July of this year, The Brilliant Club will be hosting 7 online sessions for Naval young people. Current students will be telling us what university & their subject areas are like, whilst higher education experts will be talking us through topics such as UCAS applications and academic skills.
To make the most of these sessions, we’d like to let them know about topics or questions that our young people would particularly like support with. So, if someone in your house is considering university, please take a minute to pop your thoughts and questions here.

Best wishes,

Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity

Living in Helensburgh – A guide for Young People

This leaflet was created in order to provide young people living in Helensburgh with a guide to their area. Suggestions for this content were gathered from pupils at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh’s Forces and Me Club and those who attended their Armed Forces Day event.

January Newsletter

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

High 5 – Galaxy Explorers Half Term Activity

High 5 Camps

Galaxy Explorers Half Term Activity, Plymouth

We are very pleased to be partnering with High 5 Sports Camps to offer our Naval families the opportunity to take part in their ‘Galaxy Explorers’ camp taking place in February half term.

Families can apply for anything from just the 1 day, to all 4!

Days run from 8.30am – 4.30pm, an option for extended days 8am – 6pm is also offered.

Dates & locations:

17th – 20th February 2025

China Fleet Country Club, Saltash, PL12 6LJ

Age range: 5 – 12

Cost: Partial to Full funding available, subject to means testing upon application

Please note: This offer is for day camps only & does not include any overnight accommodation. Children will also need to take their own packed lunches & snacks with them each day.

Register your interest:

https://forms.office.com/e/xfvPwNijGQ

Inspired by the wonders of space and popular galactic themes, we invite all children 5 – 12 to dive into a universe of fun and adventure.

Imagine your child stargazing like a guardian of the galaxy, building their very own space rocket, or crafting an entire solar system! Our full range of zero-gravity inflatables offer a unique, defy-gravity experience, while our themed activities, including Jedi training and alien blaster wars, promise endless excitement. They’ll even learn to moonwalk!

Sports enthusiasts can engage in intergalactic team sports like basketball, dodgeball, football, and tennis, all with a cosmic twist. Here at High 5 we’re dedicated to making this camp a ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for your child! experience.

December Newsletter

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and 2025

As we hurtle towards Christmas, the past few weeks have filled us with plenty of Christmas joy: V2 Radio, the local commercial station for Sussex, asked their listeners to take part in their annual toy appeal, and we were delighted to be the recipient of a huge pile of fabulous toys.  The generosity and Christmas spirit didn’t end there, as the Second Sea Lord’s command team decided to ditch their annual secret Santa and instead donate presents to us. As you can see from the pictures above, we received an incredible number of gifts that will make Christmas morning a little more special for some of our young people.

We need to let you know that our office will be closed over the Christmas period from midday on Monday 23rd December through to the Monday 6th January and the team is looking forward to some time off to recharge their batteries after an incredibly busy 2024.

We do appreciate that Christmas is not always an easy time for everyone and that many of you will be struggling at this time of year, for many different reasons. If you do experience difficulties during this period and need some help in an emergency please contact your local authority or the NHS on 111 or www.111.nhs.uk if you need support during this period. If you’re struggling with your mental health, reach out to The Samaritans either through their website or their 24/7 helpline 116 123 (freephone). Mind’s website has some brilliant resources for managing your wellbeing.

Looking forward into the New Year, 2025 is a very special year for us here at The Naval Children’s Charity, as we will be celebrating out Bicentenary: 200 years of supporting Naval children and young people. We would love to have your support during the year in helping us celebrate – is there something that you can do to help us mark such an important milestone? We would love to hear from you and for you to share your love of The Naval Children’s Charity by holding an event of your choice. Why not hold a fundraiser and in return be inducted into the NCC Club 200 Hall of Fame? Whether it is a bake sale, a fancy-dress competition at work or a community event, you just need to let us know and we will help promote it across our website and social media platforms. Contact us for one of our Fundraising Packs. Keep an eye out on our Socials to find out how you can get involved.  #NCC200

Finally, I would like to end the year by thanking all of you who have supported us in so many ways in 2024.  From our wonderful Major Funders – the RNRMC, Greenwich Hospital, The Seafarers Charity, and Trinity House to the many other Trusts and Foundations and individuals who have donated their time and money, helping us to help our beneficiaries.  We would particularly like to thank Sirius Analysis Ltd for their ongoing support. We thank you all. 

And to our wonderful children and young people, some of whom have really helped us to understand their lives and challenges this year. We welcome our new Youth Council who have spent some considerable time this year working with us on a project to develop an exciting new range of opportunities, our lovely Young Ambassadors, our President, Vice President and Patrons and our Trustees who dedicate so much of their time to us. And to my amazing team of staff who have worked so hard this year – you are all brilliant.
On behalf of everyone at the Naval Children’s Charity, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes,



Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity

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.

Book your space now

 
 

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.