Date of Funding: 15th March 2010

Aim:

To provide a personalised package of family support that helps to raise the hopes, aspirations & expectations of young people & their families, enabling them to make sustained changes in their lives & increasing their life choices.

Impact:

TFN funding allowed Step Forward to provide support to five vulnerable families in Tower Hamlets. Each young person was offered 1-2-1 support before inviting other family members into the sessions. Families were initially offered six sessions which could be extended depending on their needs both individually and as a family. At the end of each session the family and the Family Support Worker talked about any positives from the sessions, what needed to be covered in the next session and how everyone felt about the sessions. Every 3-4 meetings included a review which helped illustrate the impact and effectiveness of the service and identify any additional support needs.

The young people and families Step Forward worked with have recognised the positive impact of their service. Having someone who can help mediate between families can help them find better ways to communicate and solve difficulties together, as the quotes below illustrate:

Mother “A positive experience which helped me to understand myself better and how I can relate better to my daughter”

Daughter “Since coming to Step Forward things have changed, I now have less arguments and more regular talks with my mum and she says I have improved”

Beneficiaries:

TFN funding directly supported 13 family members in Step Forward’s family sessions. The changes participants were able to take back into their family homes impacted on a further 22 family members.

Website:

www.stepforward-web.org/

Date of Funding: 25th January 2011

Aim:

To help WUA provide support services to families who are struggling with cancer by funding the cost of chemotherapy, clinic visits and transportation.

Impact:

WUA had intended to use TFN support to launch a treatment program in Ethiopia. However, they are still waiting for the Ethiopian government’s approval of their NGO paperwork. WUA hope to receive approval shortly and look forward to working in Ethiopia.

WUA therefore used TFN donations to proceed with the access program in Uganda, which also required funding. WUA is also attempting to implement new procedures with the hospital providing an increase in transparency, tracking and monitoring systems. The funding from TFN has helped to improve the negotiations by providing WUA with additional funds to treat children. This has helped pave the way for these challenging conversations to proceed and will help to increase their effectiveness as an organization.

Beneficiaries:

TFN funding provided treatment for approximately 27 children suffering from cancer.

Website:

www.wrapupafrica.org

Date of Funding: 25th January 2011

Aim:

To expand Tree of Life’s community healing programme to specifically support disadvantaged youth in Zimbabwe.

Impact:

With the funding received from TFN, Tree of Life established a pilot project which was specifically directed at young people who are vulnerable to organised violence and torture. Through this project a large number of potential youth perpetrators were empowered to make a positive difference in their communities as well as in their own lives. Most of the young people who attended the project were either orphans, victims of abuse, victims of Operation Murambatsvina or victims of violence. In the past, many were forced to perpetrate violence however, during the follow up visits most vowed never to be ‘used’ in this way again. Some young people have totally turned their lives around land almost all said the workshops had helped them:

“I learnt about the importance of moving on and being strong even when times are hard. Just like a tree in a forest when it is cut or gets burnt by fire, it does not give up.”

Support from TFN also encouraged new donors, helped strengthen partner relationships and strengthen the Tree of Life process as a whole. Due to its success, in 2012 the youth pilot project will be incorporated into the core work of the Tree of Life.

Beneficiaries:

645 people and 20 communities were reached by the Tree Of Life youth project.

Website:

www.zbf.org.uk

Date of Funding: 25th January 2011

Aim:

To restore the livelihoods of families in Darfur so that they can remain in their villages and village communities can be sustained for the long-term future of Darfur.

Impact:

TFN funding benefitted 29 families. They were provided with goat and donkey loans which had a large impact on their lives. The goats provide milk for malnourished children, bringing a significant improvement in their health and also providing a source of income from the sale of milk and kids. This enables the families to buy water and to pay for school fees, medicines and other basic essentials which provide longed-for security and peace of mind.

The donkeys help the families by reducing the drudgery of collecting water, fodder and fuelwood and enable the tasks to be completed more quickly so that time is available for other productive activities; in particular the children are now able to go to school and improve their future prospects. The donkeys also provide income through rental or sales of additional fodder or fuelwood which can be collected further enabling the family to achieve a better standard of living.

Beneficiaries:

Approximately 180 people have benefitted from TFN support.

Website:

www.kidsforkids.org.uk

Date of Funding: 25th January 2011

Aim:

To establish an out-of-school learning hub based in Hackney, where children and young people receive one-to-one attention from local volunteers in an unconventional learning environment.

Impact:

TFN funding was critical to the success of The Hackney Pirates over the past year. It covered almost 50% of the cost of hiring the first full-time staff member – an Education Manager – which allowed a step change and the ability to fully launch The Hackney Pirates. The Hackney Pirates is now a registered charity in its own right further increasing effectiveness. Volunteer numbers have increased and hours of one-one attention for young people have increased 5 fold. The Hackney Pirates now delivery daily services from their own centre and feedback from both parents and the young people is extremely positive, as demonstrated by the following two quotes from young people involved in the project:

“You are learning things but you are not really aware that you are learning things. It’s more like a bit of fun.”

“You get to have lots of fun, it’s not all about work, you have lots of fun doing it…. It helps you in school when you go back.”

Beneficiaries:

Approximately 270 young people, staff and volunteers has benefitted from TFN funding.

Website:

www.hackneypirates.org

Date of Funding: 25th January 2011

Aim:

To reduce re-offending by enabling prisoners to occupy the long hours of cell time constructively, gaining work skills, confidence and savings for their release.

Impact:

Fine Cell Work used TFN funding to set up new groups in HM Prisons Broadmoor, Full Sutton and Littlehey. Work at HMP Littlehey was started in early 2011 and they are now working with 18 stitchers. Highlights include cushions commissioned by interior designer Melissa Wyndham as a present for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. One of the prisoners also created a tote bag which was so well made and designed that FCW are planning to make and sell it commercially. The prison also encouraged FCW to start up a workshop at the prison, which now has 12 workers.

In September FCW started work at Broadmoor Hospital, however because of the nature of the patients in this prison, it is hard to have more than three stitchers in the group. The three participants are progressing well and positive feedback has been received. The group at Full Sutton started in December; there are currently four prisoners in the group but they expect to have eight by this spring. FCW are also planning to start up a second group on another of the prison wings, and to make this prison a Fine Cell Work ‘hub’ with workshop activities as well as cellwork activities.

Beneficiaries:

25 prisoners are involved in the new groups, 10 more than initially predicted.

Website:

www.finecellwork.co.uk

We were so pleased with the enthusiasm for our incentive to encourage new givers; 28 new people took The Funding Network plunge and pledged to one or more of the fantastic projects presenting at the event. It was great to show them how much more fun and rewarding giving can be when done as a group, and how much impact your money can have when added with others. These pledges, along with donations from many longstanding TFN members, totalled £34,600.

All African Women’s Group – £6,614

Nepal in Need – £5,700

Renaissance Foundation – £5,790

Green Light Trust – £5,000

Hashim Welfare Hospital - £11,506

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the event and dug deep for these inspirational projects. The impact of these donations will be felt by asylum seekers in London, indigenous communities in Papua New Guinea, premature babies in Pakistan and many more. We are still accepting donations, so if you could not attend but feel moved to contribute please click here.

A highlight of the evening was hearing back from Catriona Maclay, whose project, Hackney Pirates, was supported at The Funding Network event in January 2011. Catriona’s words really brought home the impact of a grant to a small organisation when they are just starting out and the feedback from the young people helped through the mentoring programme was incredible.

We have a busy few months coming up. The Funding Network in Devon is holding its annual event on Wednesday 8th February at the wonderful Dartington Hall. We would love it if you came along or passed on the details to anyone you know in the Totnes area. We are then holding an exciting event in London on 1st March with the British Asian Trust and Coutts to provide support for some fantastic South Asian organisations. Our uplifting Spring TFN London event is being held on Saturday 17th March and plans are in full swing for the first event of The Funding Network in Kent on Thursday 15th March. Moving into the summer, TFN Oxford will be on 26th April and TFN Norfolk on 3rd May. More details about all of these are available on our events page.

Date of Funding: 15th March 2010

Aim:

‘Homeshare’ is the exchange of housing for help; its aim is to bring about a match between a householder – usually an older person – who is lonely and needs a bit of help with someone, often a student, who is looking for inexpensive accommodation and is willing to provide some help in the house

Impact:

Homeshare’s pitch to TFN was based on the production and publication of a D.I.Y Homeshare guide. Sadly, the funding received was insufficient to commission the writing, design and publication of such a manual and they were unable to achieve this aim.

However, the money was put towards the July 2011 World Congress in Cologne; Homeshare were able to provide a bursary for representatives and delegates going to the congress. Furthermore, the framework for a new-and-improved website, the development of a new business plan and the publication of two editions of their annual newsletter are projects which have been much helped by the receipt of the TFN funding. A wider number of beneficiaries has been reached as a result of the funding.

Beneficiaries:

The core of the organisation benefitted from TFN funding, but it also has a far reaching impact which is difficult to estimate.

Website:

www.homeshare.org

Date of Funding: 15th March 2010

Aim:

PROPS seeks to ensure the advancement of education and the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the lives for young people with learning disabilities.

Impact:

Support from TFN meant that 1 student could be paid for work within the Business Enterprise project and and a part-time member of staff could be employed.

The Business Enterprise project has been a big success; turnover in 2010 was £3,618.00 but for the 2011 year was £15,000.00+. TFN funding also had a positive effect with advertising in the local news when they were recruiting for a very successful Charity Bike ride. PROPS have also recruited more active trustees.

Beneficiaries:

At least 25 students have directly benefitted from TFN support.

Website:

www.propsforward.org

Name of Project: MyBnk @ Body & Soul

Aim:

To build the knowledge, skills and confidence young people need to manage their money effectively and make enterprising choices throughout their lives.

Impact:

Funding from TFN was used to deliver a financial education project to young people at Body & Soul, a charity supporting young people and families living with or closely affected by HIV.

In April 2011 two hands-on Money Twist workshops took place, the workshops covered practical everyday financial matters and the young people learnt about earning, banking and money management. All of the young people taking part in the Money Twist workshops increased their understanding and felt more confident about dealing with their money in the future.

MyBnk also ran a further workshop with 18 young people who were considering moving onto university. The Uni Dosh workshop provided a forum for the young people to ask questions about the complex university money landscape that had seen many recent changes. 89% of participants reported a good or better understanding of what grants, bursaries and scholarships are; and how student loans worked.

By approaching financial education in a hands-on, fun manner the young people were engaged to learn about money and how to make it work for them. MyBnk are continuing to develop their relationship with Body & Soul and hope to hold further workshops.

Beneficiaries:

Through TFN funding MyBnk worked with 34 young people aged 13-19 at Body & Soul.

Website:

www.mybnk.org

Name of Project: Freedom Project

Aim:

The Freedom Project is aimed at supporting the homeless, young offenders, ex-addicts and ex-offenders into meaningful employment and to a point where they are investing in their communities.

Impact:

The Freedom Project has gone from strength to strength. Since received funding from TFN The Mustard Tree have employed another Project Worker, focusing on developing progression routes and next steps training. In the last six months 10 individuals have moved into employment, 14 have been engaged in work placements and 43 individuals have progressed onto further education.

Presenting at the TFN event also increased awareness of our work amongst the local philanthropic community, with whom The Mustard Tree have continued conversations and received support since the event. There have also been a few local fundraising events organised on behalf of the Mustard Tree through contacts made on the night.

Beneficiaries:

The project reached approximately 80 individuals over the last year.

Website:

www.mustardtree.org.uk