In the eighth year of our partnership with The Childhood Trust’s ‘Decorate a Child’s Life’ programme, we are pleased to announce that we have received the ‘Design for Positive Change’ award from House and Garden, in recognition of our work with children’s bedrooms in London. Together we can create happy and safe homes, so join us in making a difference and bringing joy to these young lives.
I have been involved with The Childhood Trust for some years. Its wonderful campaign to ‘Decorate a Child’s Life’ aims to combat the effects of childhood poverty in London by transforming less-than-ideal conditions into a space of warmth, security and hope.
We are beyond pleased to announce we took home this year’s prestigious ‘Design for Positive Change’ award from House and Garden in recognition of the work we do to curb the poverty sweeping our capital. Over the past few years we have transformed eight rooms in 2021, ten in 2022 and so far this year we have completed four, with many more confirmed for the rest of the year.
It always feels incredible to win an award, especially for something we have been quietly working on for a few years now, but really we are thrilled because we desperately hope that the award may lead to more donations to help this important and necessary campaign. With hundreds of thousands of children living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions in London, it is hard not to feel that we are just chipping away at an insurmountable problem.
Every bedroom we change, every child whose face lights up with excitement and joy at every design installed, tells us it is so worth attempting. All children deserve a happy and safe home and if you feel you might be able to help donate, please do not hesitate to go to the Childhood Trust website using the link below.
I am sure you are shocked to learn that an estimated 800,000, or 40% of all children in London are living in poverty. They do not have access to necessities of food, a safe space to rest, clean clothes and a nurturing environment. With the cost of living crisis having a devastating impact, these figures are set to increase; children regularly miss meals and go hungry due to increased prices on groceries and utilities.
I have worked alongside chairman Laurence Guinness for over eight years. In most cases, the local authority involved will contact us and personally explain a family’s situation and their living conditions. Our team will then get to work, collaborating closely with our local suppliers to decorate a room in the home.
Oliver Brabner the Volunteer Programmes Manager for The Childhood Trust has said that a lack of support can put young people in a vicious cycle of trauma. ’Growing up in an environment that is not promoting their best development, one that allows the next generation to prosper, means young people and children might not reach their full potential – we want to ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed.’
If you would like to find out more information around the work the Trust completes including how to become a corporate volunteer, please explore the links above. To donate resources to provide direct support please explore the links below.
