Dame Kristin Scott Thomas Announced as New Patron

A warm welcome to Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as our new Patron.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas has always had a close personal connection to the Royal Navy. Her father, grandfather, stepfather and uncles all served in the Navy. In 2023 she completed work on her directorial debut NORTH STAR, a feature that she co-wrote about an RN family, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.

Dame Kristin is the recipient of a BAFTA Award for FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. A bilingual actress, she received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for her starring role opposite Ralph Fiennes in Academy Award-winning THE ENGLISH PATIENT.

Among her English language screen credits are DARKEST HOUR and MILITARY WIVES just to name a few.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas was born in Cornwall. Her father was a Lieutenant Commander in the RN’s Fleet Air Arm, who tragically died in a flying accident when Kristin was at the tender age of five. She is the granddaughter of William Scott Thomas, who commanded HMS Impulsive during World War II.

In 2019 Dame Kristin took part in the series ‘My Grandfather’s War’ telling the story of her grandfather who was in Command of a destroyer and made 8 Arctic convoy voyages. He was also instrumental at Dunkirk, rescuing over a thousand men.

On becoming a Parton for the Naval Children’s Charity, Dame Scott Thomas said:

‘I am delighted to become a Patron of the Naval Children’s Charity.  The work that they do supporting Naval children and young people really resonates with me from my own experiences growing up.  The work of the charity is invaluable, and I am only too pleased to be able to endorse it.’

Having been a Naval child herself, the NCC are over the moon to have Dame Scott Thomas as a patron. CEO Clare Scherer MBE said:

‘We could not be more delighted to welcome our new Patron.  The life experience she brings to us, as a Naval child, and the inspiration she will give to our current children and young people, is amazing.  Having overcome challenges as a Naval child herself she is a fantastic role model to inspire our young people and let them know what great success they too could achieve.’

Photographer Credit: German Larkin @germanlarkin

Month of the Military Child 2024

A Celebration of Military Children.

Did you know the official flower of the military child is the dandelion.

Its seeds are blown far and wide by the wind, but it will always plant roots and blossom wherever it lands. Well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient, military children know that home is where their hearts are and that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world.

April is the Month of the Military Child, a month-long focus on the important role Service children play in the Armed Forces community. It is a time to recognise Armed Forces families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.

To celebrate this month here at the Naval Children’s Charity we would love to see any artwork, poetry, short stories or the like that your children may create to celebrate this special month. If you are happy for us to share on our social media, please email the works here.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
 
A worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and recognising the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. Please watch the accompanying film to find out how the NCC can help you on this journey.

A New Psychological Toolkit for Armed Forces Children

The Naval Children’s Charity are thrilled to be launching ‘Doing Distance’ – a psychological toolkit for armed forces children, to help them navigate the challenges that come with service life, particularly around separation and mobility.

Whether you are a parent of a military child, or a supporting adult from their school or local community, this new psychological toolkit has been specially designed to help support your armed forces children. This toolkit has been compiled with the help from the team at ‘Bear Us In Mind’, a group with over 30 years’ experience working directly with families around separation and loss.

The Naval Children’s Charity’s aim is for these resources to help military children and their supporting adults to navigate the highs and lows of service life. These tools will help with the processing of the challenges experienced by children and young people and enable them hold on to special memories. All these resources will be available to download for free.

 

Clare Scherer MBE, from the Naval Children’s Charity, said:

”We could not be more grateful to Julie Stokes and the Bear Us In Mind team for their generosity in allowing us to adapt and use this amazing toolkit.  We really think it will bring help and support to lots of our families as they deal with some of the challenges that come with life as a service family.”

 

The ‘Doing Distance’ toolkit can be found here.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

As International Women’s Day is being celebrated across the globe, here at the Naval Children’s Charity we would like to celebrate things a little closer to home. Last month our Chief Executive Officer, Clare Scherer, went to Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE from The Princess Royal, in recognition of her services to Naval families.

Clare received the award as part of His Majesty Charles III’s inaugural ‘Birthday Honours List’. 

“I am extremely proud and delighted to be the recipient of this award. It truly is an honour and I am deeply grateful to HM The King,” said Ms Scherer.  

First working with the NCC as a consultant in 2008, Clare was appointed CEO in 2018. 

During that time, the charity has undergone a successful re-brand, commissioned extensive research into the stresses on the lives of military children in the UK, and produced a suite of resources that help Naval families cope with deployment, grief and mental health. 

“The [MBE] award is in recognition of my work supporting Naval families and, in reality, the award is for my entire team of staff at the NCC,” says Clare.

“They are the ones who work closely with our families, children and young people, ensuring that their needs are met in a compassionate and meaningful way and I would like to commend them for the dedication and passion they bring to the Charity.” 

At the NCC, we believe that to be the child of someone who is, or has been, in the Naval Service should be a positive and enhancing experience – something to be borne with pride.  

As such, over the next few years, the NCC is expanding its ‘Life Chances’ programmes; offering all Naval children new experiences which will give them the skills to thrive in their future lives and careers. 

Clare added: “We are excited to be developing our support to all our Naval Children, not just those where there is crisis driven by disability, illness or significant financial hardship.  

“Many of our children and young people are impacted by their parents’ service in the Royal Navy and we look forward to providing them with resources and opportunities to help them cope and enable them to thrive, helping them to be the best they can be.”

Congratulations once again, Clare Scherer MBE.

Youth Crew

RNSA YOUTH CREW

Our wonderful friends at Greenwich Hospital and the Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA) are delighted to provide free sailing opportunities for children of families of personnel serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.  The RNSA, the charity that provides the sport of sailing for the Navy, funded by Greenwich Hospital will be offering free RYA start sailing weeks delivered through the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) across the UK.  This is a super exciting chance to support Service families and introduce them to the fun and many benefits of sailing. 

The dedicated courses aim is to get hundreds of 11-17 year olds sailing in 2024 and beyond.  They will be doing everything they can to make these weeks fully accessible and inclusive with no previous experience needed. The project will include a water safety element to help develop confidence for those less well versed with the sea!  The RNSA team will be reaching out to explain the offer, help with the booking process and guide applicants through the process.  Enquiries should be directed to youthsailing@rnsa.org.uk  and the website will be available for bookings from early March (www.rnsayouthcrew.org.uk).  Please do get in touch as sailing really is fun and does provide a great vehicle for building a whole range of skills in young people as well as enhancing fitness and well-being. We will also be looking at follow on pathways to help young people take up ‘Sailing for Life’.

Other Life Chances

Forces Employment Charity

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The BIG Debate

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Month of the Military Child

Celebrating Month of the Military Child

Does your child go to a school with fewer than 10 military children? If so, we have a special opportunity for your child’s school!

Each April we celebrate the Month of the Military Child (MotMC) – a time to recognise the important role that children play in the military family. This year we are partnering with charity Never Such Innocence to offer 4 schools the opportunity to have a day of poetry or art workshops relating to MotMC. This is a great opportunity for your child’s school to participate in this programme and let their military children be recognised.

 

To nominate your school please fill out this form by February 22nd. If your school is chosen, we will inform you by February 26th.

LEADERS UNLOCKED

Have your voice heard!

Here at the Naval Children’s Charity, we are looking to revamp our ‘Life Chances’ programme which is all about giving opportunities for young people to learn, develop and thrive (TallShip Voyages, Debating Classes, Residential Camps etc.) Now we want YOU to help shape what opportunities we give our young people. So, we have teamed up with ‘Leaders Unlocked’, who specialise in enabling young people to have a stronger voice and influence the issues that affect their lives.

Are you aged 12-25?

Do you come from a naval family and live in the UK?

Then please get involved and influence what you and your peers can take advantage of, whilst gaining valuable leadership skills and experience.

What is the Life Chances Co-design project?

The Life Chances Co-design project will give young people from naval families in the UK the opportunity to build their leadership skills and create change for other young people.

The Life Chances programme is led by the Naval Children’s Charity and offers a variety of opportunities and activities to children and young people from naval families. The Charity is keen to further develop the Life Chances programme in collaboration with the young people it aims to benefit.

The project will recruit a diverse group of approximately 12-15 young people from naval families that live in the UK.

The project aims to:

  • Co-design a new vision for the Life Chances programme and the benefits it brings to young people.
  • Understand what works well and what could be improved in the current Life Chances programme.
  • Explore young people’s experiences of the Life Chances programme, other similar activities, and new examples.

The project is a partnership between the Naval Children’s Charity and Leaders Unlocked, a social enterprise supporting young people to influence the decisions that affect them in society.

What will I get from being part of the project?

  • Enhance your knowledge and skills: You will have the opportunity to develop valuable knowledge and transferable skills, including leadership skills, co-design skills and public speaking. You will also build confidence in working with peers and adult professionals.
  • Expand your network: You will expand your network with the professionals and the partner organisations involved with the project. You will meet a diverse range of young people in the UK with a shared interest in making changes that benefits other young people.
  • Develop your experience: You will be part of a project that has co-designed a vision for a programme of activity that benefits young people. You will be able to use all the above for your CV, when applying for jobs or to Further or Higher Education.
  • Receive a payment for your contribution: You will receive a payment of £70 for your time on the project either in cash or in voucher form. For under-16s, the payment will be made in an eVoucher form (which can be redeemed in a wide range of brands / stores). Over-16s will be able to choose between bank transfer or an eVoucher.

How do I apply?

Email here for your application form and then forward your completed form to Alev Zahir: alev@leaders-unlocked.org by Friday 23rd February 2024.

What happens next?

Once we receive your application, we will then carry out brief telephone interviews with a shortlist of applicants. All applicants will be informed by the week after the application deadline whether they have been selected for interview.

Remember: please email your completed application form to Alev Zahir:

alev@leaders-unlocked.org by Friday 23rd February 2024.

Other Life Chances

Forces Employment Charity

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Youth Crew

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THE ANNINGTON CHALLENGE & THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST – Adventure of a Lifetime

THE ANNINGTON CHALLENGE & OUTWARD BOUND TRUST – Take control of your summer and have the adventure of a lifetime.

We have joined forces with our friends at the both the Annington Challenge and the Outward Bound Trust, whose missions are to inspire young people to believe they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.

If you are from a Naval family, are aged 10-19 and ready for an adventure… then look no further, we have a  unique opportunity for you to take on the Annington Challenge. This is the chance for young people to experience an Outward Bound course at a heavily subsidised price. Places are available for all young people, regardless of their parent or guardian’s rank.

Choose from 5-19 day experiences in amazing locations. From rowing across lakes to camping in the wild, outdoor adventure will be at the heart of everything you do. All accommodation, food and equipment are provided.

Apply HERE now for 2024 and get ready the summer of a lifetime! It only takes a few minutes.

Other Life Chances

Forces Employment Charity

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Youth Crew

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OVER THE WALL – Fab & Fun Residential Camps

Mischievous and Magical residential camps for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities.

We are delighted to have teamed up with Over The Wall, a UK based charity for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities to discover a world of mischief and magic.
They provide a safe place to step outside of comfort zones, establish friendships and build confidence through meaningful and exciting activities and we have secured 8 places at a selection of different camps.

We are inviting applications from children and young people aged 8-17 years, who are currently experiencing health challenges or have finished treatment in the last 3 years. Also, the invitation is open to children and young people aged 8-17 yrs who have a sibling (0 – 17yrs) who is currently experiencing health challenges or has finished treatment in the last 3 years.


There are spaces available at:

Scotland Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Strathallan School, Perth – Mon 8th – Fri 12th July

Midlands Week 1 Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Whitemoor Lakes, Staffordshire – Mon 5th – Fri 9th August

Midlands Week 2 Health Challenge / Siblings Camp, Whitemoor Lakes, Staffordshire – Mon 12th – Fri 16th August

You can apply directly here: https://secure.jotformpro.com/form/42643514508958

Other Life Chances

Forces Employment Charity

Read More

Youth Crew

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