Charities Supported by Children in Need Transform Young Lives

A Warwickshire charity is assisting young individuals, including a teenager who sustained injuries in a horse-riding accident. Liv shared that she struggled with the emotional repercussions and her recovery journey, but the Nuneaton-based Haddon Charity of Performing Arts provided her with a new beginning. She stated, “Now I have dance and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” This charity, which receives financial backing from Children in Need, facilitates access to performing arts for young people who might encounter obstacles preventing them from joining other groups. Haddon’s positive influence on children’s lives is evident to Terri-Ann, whose son Otis has special needs. She explained that when Otis began attending at 18 months old, he was unable to sit up, but has since participated in shows and become a regular member of the group. Terri-Ann remarked, “He is celebrated. He comes in in his walker. He’s got friends that hold his hand and dance with him. He loves the staff. He’s included in everything.” Attending Haddon also offers Terri-Ann an opportunity to converse with other parents, secure in the knowledge that Otis is receiving support. She described it as, “It’s been our lifeline many times. It’s our weekly break. It’s our weekly haven.” Eleanor ‘Elle’ Dicks, the founder, established the charity with the aim of fostering a sense of community among young people through performing arts. She commented, “I teach the connection and the love that I would have wanted if I was that age.“ The funding contributions have enabled her to train additional staff and extend assistance to every child in need. Dicks expressed, “I’m really, really grateful and I know the children here are as well, thank you.” Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing is also a key focus for Flourish, another charity that benefits from Children in Need funding. This organization offers mentoring services to girls and young women. Evie, a service user, shared, “I’ve come so far since I started working with the charity, I feel a lot more secure in who I am as an individual.” She particularly appreciated how Flourish created an environment for creativity, allowing children to simply be themselves without contemporary pressures. Evie added, “I would love to see more people get involved and see more girls realize that they have a voice and that they are allowed to speak their mind and reach out for help.” Helen Laycock, a mentor at Flourish, emphasized the critical role of the funding in supporting their work. She explained, “We look at different topics that matters to them, whether that’s well being or friendships or being able to do kind self talk, lots of different things that really help build their kind of self esteem and confidence.” For Shine a Light, Children in Need’s funding contributes to providing stability for the families they assist and has also secured the Rugby-based charity financially for the next two years. Sam Schooler, who herself experienced cancer as a child, founded the charity to support children with cancer and their families. Rhiannon and her family began receiving aid after her son Archie was diagnosed with the rare condition, Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis. Her other son, Leon, regularly attends weekly play therapy sessions at Shine a Light, which he enjoys. He stated, “I normally play and we talk about my feelings and what’s going on, it makes me calm.” Rhiannon noted that Leon’s play therapy has provided him with essential personal time. She explained, “They have helped with helping him to understand his own emotions and and sort of process, what’s going on in our home life.” According to Ms Schooler, the security and assistance offered by the charity are fundamental to its mission. She remarked, “Families have got this stable base they can come,” and added, “It’s a warm, welcoming and lovely place for people to visit.” BBC Children in Need Day is scheduled for Friday night.