Children First Derby launch 50:50 campaign
Children First Derby, which has been helping children, young people and families for more than 50 years, says rising costs and increasingly complex demand for its services have left it facing one of the most serious financial challenges in its history.
The charity has now launched its 50:50 campaign, calling on people and businesses across Derby and Derbyshire to donate £50 – enough to help fund an hour of vital support for a child or young person.
Children First Derby provides three key services: mentoring for vulnerable young people, support for families experiencing difficulties and supervised family time for children in care.
But demand continues to grow, with increasing numbers of children and young people being referred for support by schools and other organisations.
Amanda Solloway, CEO of Children First Derby, said the charity urgently needs the community’s help to protect the services families have come to rely on.
She said: “Children First Derby has been here for children and families for more than 50 years, but we are currently facing one of the most serious financial challenges in our history.
“We need to raise more than £50,000 if we are to continue providing and enhancing our level of support we do now.
“Demand is increasing, the needs of the children and families coming to us are becoming more complex and, like every organisation, the cost of providing that support has risen significantly.
“We don’t want to turn young people away when they need us, but without additional funding that is the reality we could face.”
Children First Derby’s mentoring service supports young people who may be struggling with issues including low self-esteem, anxiety, isolation, bullying, difficulties at home and disengagement from education.
Young people are matched with trained mentors who provide consistent one-to-one support and encourage them to build confidence, develop emotionally and socially and make positive choices.
Unlike traditional appointments, mentoring can take place out in the community, with young people and their mentors taking part in activities and spending time together in an informal environment where relationships can develop.
One young person supported by the charity said: “Children First Derby gave me a safe space where I felt listened to and was safe. I do not want to think where I would be without it.”
The charity’s Family Support Service also works alongside parents and children experiencing difficulties, while its Supervised Family Time Service provides a safe environment in which children in care can maintain relationships with their families.
Amanda said the 50:50 campaign had been designed to give people a simple and tangible way of helping.
She said: “£50 can help us provide an hour of support and, for a young person who is struggling, that hour can be incredibly important.
“It is time spent with somebody they trust, who will listen to them without judgement and help them work through whatever is happening in their life.
“We know £50 isn’t affordable for everybody, so people can donate whatever they can. Equally, we’d love businesses, groups of colleagues or organisations to get involved and perhaps fund several hours between them.
“Every donation will help us continue being there for children and families who need us.”
The campaign has already received a boost from the Cosy Foundation, which has agreed to match-fund the first £2,500 donated.
Amanda added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Cosy Foundation. If the public helps us raise that first £2,500, it immediately becomes £5,000 and could help us provide 100 hours of support.
“But our overall challenge is much bigger. We need to raise more than £50,000 and we can’t do that without the support of the community.
“Children First Derby has been part of this city for more than half a century and we want to make sure we are still here for the children and families who need us for many years to come.”