Latest News

Mindfit Programme launched

A 4-week programme aimed at reducing anxiety in children in years 5 or 6 has been developed to be delivered in South Derbyshire Schools. Students will be taught about how the brain works and helped to understand their emotions, a mixture of techniques will be used including mindfulness and exercise.
Each programme will be based at a different school and nearby schools will have the opportunity to send pupils to the programme. Places will be limited to 10 students per programme.
The programme is funded through a grant from South Derbyshire District Council and Derbyshire County Council. We have started delivery of the programme at Weston-on-Trent Primary and the next one will be at Aston-on-Trent before Christmas.
Make a Donation
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

What is the big give?

The Big Give is a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and we need your support so we can continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Reach for wellbeing

We will deliver two 8 week programmes that will cover the following areas:: Mental Health – Exercise – Social connections – Cooking – Confidence – Compare and despair – Solitude and loneliness – Sleep – A celebratory meal to conclude. After which the cohort will be encouraged to join a weekly Peer Support Group of like-minded individuals and benefit from group activities. Each programme will accommodate 12 participants per programme and will support 24 parents over the year. .

Children First Derby concludes Anti-Bullying Week with visit to artcore

Our Campaign continues beyond this year’s Anti-Bullying Week. Our aim is to continue to support our young people to speak out against the devastating effects of bullying.

Our young people are proud that their Sculpture is currently being exhibited at the Artcore UK Gallery and Café, Osnabruck Square.

They would appreciate your support and encouragement by visiting their Sculpture at the Gallery and leaving a message.

Please post your views after visiting and contact us if you would like to work with us to create change.

We went to a total of 4 different schools, Saint James Junior, Saint Benedicts RC, Chaddesden Park Primary and Saint Martins. All four schools engaged with us well and we were very pleased to see that we had a good response with out postcards, of children sharing ways they think bullying should be dealt with and ways in which it can be prevented. The reason this was good is because it shows active engagement from successful assemblys.

Make a Donation
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

What is the big give?

The Big Give is a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and we need your support so we can continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Reach for wellbeing

We will deliver two 8 week programmes that will cover the following areas:: Mental Health – Exercise – Social connections – Cooking – Confidence – Compare and despair – Solitude and loneliness – Sleep – A celebratory meal to conclude. After which the cohort will be encouraged to join a weekly Peer Support Group of like-minded individuals and benefit from group activities. Each programme will accommodate 12 participants per programme and will support 24 parents over the year. .

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS MARKET!!!!

I would like to begin by expressing our sincere gratitude to Good Travel Management | Your Human-Led Corporate Travel Team and Laura Busby for their generous sponsorship of our Christmas Market last Saturday, not only this, they also donated their time for the whole day which is more than we couldve asked for!
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Electric Daisy for hosting the event, as well as to all the volunteers and stallholders whose contributions made this event a massive success.

Despite a rainy start, the weather improved as the day went on, leading more and more people turning up, just when we thought that was it… PEOPLE JUST KEPT COMING!!!!! Santa kept busy with present requests, our smoor makers were not only kept warm by the fire but also how busy they were making smoors for everyone, and the stallholders maintained a steady flow of customers throughout the day.

It was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new families attending our Christmas market. Many attendees shared positive feedback about their experiences, which is ultimately what matters most.

The spirit of Christmas is rooted in giving, sharing, and togetherness, and I am proud to say that we successfully embodied these values on Saturday.

Thank you all once again for your efforts.

Make a Donation
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

What is the big give?

The Big Give is a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and we need your support so we can continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Reach for wellbeing

We will deliver two 8 week programmes that will cover the following areas:: Mental Health – Exercise – Social connections – Cooking – Confidence – Compare and despair – Solitude and loneliness – Sleep – A celebratory meal to conclude. After which the cohort will be encouraged to join a weekly Peer Support Group of like-minded individuals and benefit from group activities. Each programme will accommodate 12 participants per programme and will support 24 parents over the year. .

Children First Derby Mentoring Service Launches New Anti-Bullying Project

The Mentoring Service at Children First Derby continues to see an increasing number of young people experiencing bullying. Our Young People’s Forum (of 8 mentees and former mentees) joined staff in a consultation to address the growing concerns of the challenges victims of bullies and their parents face. This led to an urgent request for change.

In a powerful effort to raise awareness of the devastating effects of bullying and help to promote lasting change, our young people created a portable sculpture to demonstrate their feelings of frustration.

The sculpture is a statement piece that communicates their message of “Zero Tolerance”. It will be displayed around various schools during anti-bullying week.

The project includes partnerships with Artcore, Allegiance Jiu Jitsu, local schools, Councillors, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and the Anti Bullying Alliance.

The overall aim of the campaign is to encourage young people to speak out, share lessons learned and encourage a collaborative approach to take a stand against bullying all year round.

“We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and respected and no one should have to face bullying alone,” said The Mentoring Team “This campaign is not just about prevention; it’s about creating lasting change to ensure all children and young people’s mental health is not negatively impacted and they feel safe and confident to engage in education”

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Children First on the Anti Bullying Project over the last year. I am so proud of all the young people involved and they have created an amazing sculpture highlighting the importance of ‘standing up and speaking out’. They have successfully collaborated with staff and artists to shape their ideas and bring them to fruition. Their outcome showcases their unwavering commitment to raising awareness on the issues that matter.”

“Through their work, we know that no one has to suffer in silence.”

“They are truly courageous advocates for building a more respectful and tolerant world.” – Sarah Artcore

 From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, this Anti-Bullying Week let’s ‘Choose Respect’ and bring an end to bullying which negatively impacts millions of young lives.

 Why is this Antibullying campaign needed?

  • Statistics show that 30% of children have been bullied in the last year alone
  • 17% happens online
  • One child in every classroom is experiencing bullying each day

 Bullying has a significant impact on a child’s life and can last well into adulthood, with adults who were bullied more likely to:

  • Experience mental health issues
  • Earn less money
  • Be unemployed
  • Be obese
  • Not being a stable relationship
  • Leave school with no qualifications

NCB Anti Bullying Alliance

Make a Donation
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

What is the big give?

The Big Give is a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and we need your support so we can continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Reach for wellbeing

We will deliver two 8 week programmes that will cover the following areas:: Mental Health – Exercise – Social connections – Cooking – Confidence – Compare and despair – Solitude and loneliness – Sleep – A celebratory meal to conclude. After which the cohort will be encouraged to join a weekly Peer Support Group of like-minded individuals and benefit from group activities. Each programme will accommodate 12 participants per programme and will support 24 parents over the year. .

The Good Travel and The John Good Group Sponsor this years christmas market!

Everyone loves a good Christmas market.

 

We would like to say a massive thank you to The Good Travel and The John Good Group for sponsoring this year’s Christmas market.

 

Going off on a little tangent here but did you know that Lauras The Good Travel have been shortlisted for the Growth Award for Good Travel Management and the HEY Business Awards. And The John Good Group have been shortlisted for the Purpose Before Profit Award and Lloyds Business Excellence Awards, Environmental & Sustainability Award at HEY Business Awards. Oh, and they also won Family Business of the Year for The Sustainability Award at the Family Business United Awards.

 

Okay, back to the promoting the Christmas Market now.

 

This year’s event will be held at Electric Daisy on November 23rd from 12pm – 6pm.

Santa himself will be paying our Christmas markets a visit Louise Webb invited him personally and he said yes.

 

 What to Expect:

– Santa’s Grotto: Meet the jolly man himself and snap a memorable photo with Santa! 🎅📸

– Local Vendors: Shop unique gifts from local artisans and support our community! 🛍️

– Delicious Treats: Savor festive food and drink, perfect for the holiday season! 🍪☕

– Fun Activities: Enjoy games, crafts, and entertainment for all ages! 🎉

 

Every penny raised will go directly to Children First Derby, helping to provide essential support and resources to kids in need. Together, we can make this holiday season brighter for so many!

 

 

Spread the word, invite your friends and family, and let’s make a difference together! ❤️

Make a Donation
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

What is the big give?

The Big Give is a match funding platform dedicated to making it easy for the public and funders to give to impactful charities. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and we need your support so we can continue supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Reach for wellbeing

We will deliver two 8 week programmes that will cover the following areas:: Mental Health – Exercise – Social connections – Cooking – Confidence – Compare and despair – Solitude and loneliness – Sleep – A celebratory meal to conclude. After which the cohort will be encouraged to join a weekly Peer Support Group of like-minded individuals and benefit from group activities. Each programme will accommodate 12 participants per programme and will support 24 parents over the year. .

£1,863.25 Raised from overnight peak district walk

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Louise, Josh, Arnold, and Carwyn for their impressive achievement of completing a 50 mile hike in the Peak District through the night in 20 hours and 27 minutes.

Additionally, we want to thank everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts. The amount raised is a significant accomplishment for these four individuals, and we hope they take great pride in the success of this campaign.

The funds raised will play a crucial role in enabling us to continue our essential support for vulnerable children, young people, and families in and around Derby.

Ian Morgan OBE FCILT Visits Children first derbys office on leopold street

It was a distinct honour to welcome The High Sheriff of Derbyshire Ian Morgan OBE FCLIT and his wife, Sylvia Morgan, to our centre in Derby. Ian Morgan, who attended our 50th Anniversary Charity Ball, took the opportunity to learn more about our organization and the services we provide.

Ian Morgan expressed his appreciation for witnessing firsthand the impactful work we do within our community.

Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill has agreed to become a Patron of Children First Derby

We are very pleased to announce that Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, has agreed to take on the role of Patron of Children First Derby.

Mrs Fothergill was educated in Derby and then at Loughborough and De Montfort Universities. She joined the family manufacturing company, Pennine Healthcare and later became CEO. She was awarded a CBE for services to the healthcare products industry in 2013 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Derby in 2014. In 2016 she was appointed as Chairman of Pennine Healthcare. Mrs Fothergill is currently His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire having been appointed by her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in July 2020.

Mrs Fothergill visited our centre on Monday 12 June to learn more about our work and to interact with the staff, she was joined by Sir Stephen Moss, also a Patron of Children First Derby. During her visit she confirmed her acceptance of the position of Patron and offered to promote and help the work of the charity in every way possible.   

Fred Jacques, Chair of Board of Trustees said: “I am absolutely delighted and grateful to Mrs. Fothergill for accepting our invitation to become a Patron of Children First Derby. I am sure that her experience and knowledge will be a source of inspiration and guidance for the charity “.

Second Garden Project Completed

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our second “Growing Families Minds” project.

It is encouraging to witness the positive impact this initiative has had on our families. With the generous support of UPS and their dedicated volunteers, we spent an entire day transforming the garden.

Our efforts included painting the fence, trimming the hedges, mowing the lawn, and repairing the front gate. The UPS volunteers kindly donated a trampoline, a football goal, and solar lights for the family much to the delight of the children, we were also able to purchase a table and chairs and an outdoor rug to compliment the patio area.

Despite the challenges posed by the heat, our team delivered outstanding results, and the family expressed their satisfaction with the transformation.

We invite you to view the attached before-and-after photos to appreciate the significant work accomplished.