West Yorkshire Autumn Grant Round 2017

Beanstalk Nursery - £710

This nursery are the only one in their local area that offer places for funded children aged 2 and 3 years old. Based in Beeston, Leeds, the nursery care for some of the most disadvantaged children in that area and their aim is to help provide these children with a better start in life. They applied to Cash for Kids for outdoor play equipment such as bikes and trikes, water exploration toys and challenge items i.e. balance bikes & balance/movement walkers. The Cash for Kids Local Executive Board supported this application due to the location being very urban and a lot of these families do not have gardens for the children to play outdoors. Having the toys and outdoor space at the nursery is their only opportunity for outdoor fun.

Bradford Toy Library and Resource Centre at St Luke’s Hospital - £2,500

The Toy Library and Resource Centre and a loan service for toys and equipment, for children and young people with disabilities living in the Bradford district. They also offer one-to-one support for families, groups to support carers, a teenzone youth group and activity days. They approached Cash for Kids to help with funding towards expanding their sensory items specifically for children with disabilities. A Sensory Suitcase, Sensory Mood Lights and Music Box are all items that will help with all aspects of development and emotional well-being, they will also help to reduce stress or anxiety and stimulate senses for a child who is physically or developmentally disabled.

Hugh Gaitskell Primary - £1,837

The school applied to Cash for Kids for funding to purchase books from the ‘100 Books to read before leaving Primary School’ list. The school library was forced to close due to space restrictions, and the books that they had have become old and worn, and with no funds to replace them the pupils became disengaged with reading. By Cash for Kids providing the 300 books with quality text, the children will be excited and eager to learn. It will aid their concentration, ignite their curiosity and allow them to explore places, thoughts and feeling that they may not have experienced before

Supporters of Crawshaw Academy - £200

The Supporters of Crawshaw Academy is made up of the PTA and they support the school in many different ways. One of the schemes that they run within the school are Crisis Boxes. They have 4 types of crisis boxes; toiletries, stationary, food and uniform. The idea of these boxes is to support children who are in a crisis situation. This may be due to poverty, illness or being placed in care. The majority of the children who use items from the boxes are vulnerable, have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Cash for Kids loved the idea of the Crisis Boxes, as some children may be at a loss and need that help and can go to obtain essential items to help them with their hygiene, hunger, learning and more. Cash for Kids agreed the funding to purchase items to replenish the boxes and ensure they continue to be used.

BARCA Leeds – Youth Inclusion Project - £277

The Youth Inclusion Project (YIP) is a youth crime prevention initiative that works with children aged 8-13 years old that are at risk of offending, anti-social behaviour (including gang related activity) and school exclusion. They work in keys areas of Leeds that have high levels of deprivation and crime rates. They work with these children in group situations and offer one-to-one support. They have found that through arts, crafts and games they can often help build their self-esteem, raise their aspirations, develop new skills and ultimately, help them to find alternative choices. The Local Executive Board agreed the funding to purchase pens, pencils and colouring tools, paper, modelling dough, games and craft materials. Therefore ensuring that these sessions continue to help support these children.

West AIP West 11 - £600

West AIP Team 11 are an alternative provision that work with 6 high schools in the West of Leeds to help young people who need extra support with their mental and emotional well-being, self-control, resilience, attendance, attainment, and social skills; students spend a period of time with the team and focus on developing these skills. Many students successfully return to mainstream education or a longer alternative provision is arranged. The requested funding to improve their outdoor space, as many of the students come from deprived backgrounds and their families struggle with basic skills such a poor hunger and poor health. The items for the outdoor space include raised planting beds, a selection of herbs, seeds, vegetables and trees; as well as some outdoor games and a basketball net. This are will serve many purposes but mainly is a safe environment for these children to relax, exercise, socialise and importantly learn and take pride over something that is their own.

Friends of Phoenix Special School - £1,512

The parents and staff of Phoenix Special School form the group. They collectively raise funds to support pupils and their families with stay and play days and their school holiday play scheme. The Phoenix School is a generic primary school and nursery for 80 children with severe and complex learning and medical needs. It is co-located with Merlin Top Primary Academy. The group approached Cash for Kids to help with funding for a new bouncy castle to use in their holiday play scheme. A lot of the children who attend the school are normally isolated and cannot access normal play facilities due to their disabilities. Having a bouncy castle solely for the children and their families will ensure that they can enjoy playing in a safe and comfortable environment.

Oakley Handlovics - £1,800

Oakley is 1 years old and was born with Down Syndrome and has had to spend weeks in hospital with numerous issues. Oakley has recently had an operation to help improve his stomach as he currently cannot tolerate fluids and food. He will then have to travel to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for further operations in future. Oakley’s mum came to Cash for Kids to apply for much-needed sensory equipment which is proven to help with children’s development, in particular children who cannot process information like Oakley. The Local Executive Board agreed to purchase numerous sensory items, from a portable sensory box, rainbow fibre strands and a jellyfish fountain.

The LS29 Group - £2,500

The LS29 Group is a well-established support charity for families with disabled and special needs children in the Ilkley area. The LS29 Time Holiday Playscheme is their latest initiative. They have surveyed their members and identified a real problem: many are struggling to find specialist childcare in the school holidays. They want to facilitate a ‘Pop-Up Sensory Room’ which they can use at any venue and transport anywhere. The Local Executive Board agreed to fund items up to £2,500 towards the pop-up room.

James* Aged 10 - £230

One of James’ teachers approached Cash for Kids to request funding on behalf of James and his family. James has emotional and mental health issues, which have led to counselling for him and his family. A recent breakdown in his parents’ relationship has resulted in big changes which have massively affected James’ life. He has difficulty making friends and spends a lot of time alone. James’ teacher expressed the need for a new bed, bedding and drawers. James spends a lot of time in his room, which is his ‘safe haven’ , however, he has a broken second-hand bed and nowhere to store his clothes. Cash for Kids agreed to fund these items to hopefully make James’ room more comforting and enjoyable for him to spend time in.

*Names changed to protect child’s identity