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

PGL’s multi-activity camp

Read More

Tech Camp

Read More

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

PGL’s multi-activity camp

Read More

Tech Camp

Read More

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

PGL’s multi-activity camp

Read More

Tech Camp

Read More

ARTSWORK – Your Creative Future

Learn about Creative Careers and explore pathways into Creative Work.

We have recently formed an exciting partnership with Artswork, a youth arts charity whose work is to empower children and young people through creativity. A specific programme, called ‘Your Creative Future’ gives Naval families (serving or Veteran) an opportunity to attend a series of workshops completely free of charge. These fantastic workshops give young people the opportunity to explore their potential in a creative career.

Your Creative Future is a short programme of activities will give Naval families the opportunity to learn about the wide range of creative careers and explore the many pathways into creative work to help them take the steps into a career they love.

 

When?

Five Saturday morning workshops:

20 April; 4th May; 18 May; 8 June; 22 June 2024

Where?

Accessible online via Zoom from wherever you are.

What is included?

  • Five online interactive workshops/talks with guest speakers
  • Two one to one mentoring sessions
  • Self-guided learning packages that you can complete in your own time
  • A digital badge on completion of the programme – find our more about digital badges here. 

Please sign-up to the programme by filling out this application form.

The FAQ’s can be seen below but if you would like a downloadable PDF of these to keep handy, please find that below:

Your Creative Future – FAQs

If you would like to share the poster with people you know, you can find a downloadable version below:
Your Creative Future – NCC x Artswork

If you have any questions about the programme, please email info@artswork.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

Other Life Chances

PGL’s multi-activity camp

Read More

Tech Camp

Read More

Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas

The past few weeks have filled us with joy, attending several homecoming events watching families be reunited in time for Christmas. We are aware however, that this hasn’t been the case for all families and with that in mind, please do remember that we offer all naval children free resources to help cope with having a parent away.
Our office will be closed from the 21st December to the 2nd January and the team is looking forward to some time off to recharge their batteries after an incredibly busy 2023. However, we know that many of you will be struggling at this time of year, for many different reasons.
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.

With times still being a financial strain for many, we were thrilled that V2 Radio, the local commercial station for Sussex, asked their listeners to take part in a toy appeal, of which we were a beneficiary. As you can see from the picture above, we received an incredible number of gifts that will make Christmas morning a little more special for some of our young people.

Speaking of our young people, 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 next year. 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 years who have a sibling (0 – 17 years) who is currently experiencing health challenges or has finished treatment in the last 3 years. Pop to our Facebook page for more details.

And the opportunities for our young people don’t stop there. We have been extremely lucky and have managed to secure some more voyages with Tallships Youth Trust!!!
The available dates:
February 13th -17th for 12–15-year-olds. The voyage is Portsmouth to Portsmouth
March 25th –29th for 16–25-year-olds. Again, the voyage is Portsmouth to Portsmouth
October 13th–17th October for 12 – 15-year-olds and again it is a Portsmouth to Portsmouth Voyage but as this falls in the Scottish half term,  we will be providing transport from and back to Glasgow. SPACES ARE LIMITED, so email your expression of interest to us and we will send an application form to you.

We are also launching two new projects in January so look out for more details.  With Leaders Unlocked we want to hear from you – we are looking for young people between the ages of 12 and 25 (with a particular focus on Portsmouth, Plymouth, Somerset and Helensburgh – so we can see what life is like for the different strands of the Royal Navy) with the aim of exploring what your lives are really like – and along the way work with you to develop your leadership skills for the future.  This exciting project will help inform us how to find the best opportunities for our Life Chances programme – so we can make a real difference in your lives. The application process for this will be launched in January so look out for details.

For those of you who are interested in the cultural and creative industries we will also be launching a Digitally Mediated Creative programme – Your Creative Future.  If you want to know more about what a career in the Arts or how to turn your creative side into a career and you are aged between 14 and 25 then this could be for you.  You will hear from Mentors in different Creative roles and get 1:1 support to look at opportunities for you.  Places are limited to 30 so look out for how to apply.

Well, all that is left is for me to say is that on behalf of everyone at the Naval Children’s Charity we wish you all a Wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Best wishes,


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