Who We Help
It’s been a record-breaking year for Help a Capital Child, with 431 charities and voluntary groups sharing grants totalling £1.6million, and benefiting 84,000 of London’s disadvantaged children and young people.
Nine charities received funding for capital projects from our Major Grants programme, including The Association for Research into Stammering in Childhood (ASRC) who were awarded £46,559 back in March.
On 27th July, 95.8 Capital FM presenter and Help a Capital Child Patron Margherita Taylor visited ASRC’s new Michael Palin Centre in Farringdon.
Margherita officially opened the ‘Help a Capital Child Group Therapy Room’ and chatted to the 16 teenagers who are on the first course in the brand new facility, which is specifically designed to help children and young people who stammer to develop their communication skills to their full potential. The course also gives the young people the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences and difficulties, as well as improving their confidence.
Here are some other stories from some of the organisations who have benefited from the money you have helped us to raise...
Children's Hospices
It's every parents worst nightmare to be told their child will die before them. But for an estimated 20,000 families across the UK, this is a reality.
Childrens hospice services help children and families in these situations with the emotional and physical challenges they face, helping them to make the most of life. They welcome the whole family for a break in a home-from-home environment or in the comfort of their own home (Childrens Hospices UK)
95.8 Capital FMs Help a Capital Child has helped fund play and sensory equipment, and provide support services to children and their families using Londons childrens hospices, since the first, Richard House in Beckton, opened in 2000.
Lisa Snowdon unveiled the new wing at Shooting Star Childrens Hospice, which Help a Capital Child helped to fund during the 2007 Christmas Appeal
"All of us at The Shooting Star Children's Hospice have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in a first for 95.8 Capital FM's Help a Capital Child - a major build project made possible by a fantastic team at Capital, support from Vodafone and so many donations of services, toys and books from London's magnificent listeners. On behalf of the children, young people and the families we support, a huge thank you for everything. The Cosmos Therapy Zone, including the Family Therapies Room (made possible by Capital), will benefit so many for years to come."
Barnet Young Carers and Siblings (BYCAS) is part of Barnet Carers Centre and they support young carers between the ages of 5-17 years old.
I don't have time after school. I've never been ice skating in my life and the first time I went to the cinema was when I was 11. Young carer, aged 13 years who looks after her dad who has a mental health illness
This young carer was supported to attend outings and has had the opportunity to go on her first ice skating trip as well as attend supportive teenage outings funded through 95.8 Capital FMs Help a Capital Child.
"Our Help a Capital Child grant last year has helped BYCAS to have positive and engaging outings for teenage young carers. These outings have been beneficial for our young carers and siblings to have a fun break from often heavy caring responsibilities at home and over the last few years the continued support from Help a Capital Child has facilitated friendships to grow and support systems to manifest amongst the teenagers. This has been a very positive outcome as young carers are a group which are prone to bullying and social isolation."
Did you know that in London alone there are over 22,000 children and teenagers who are young carers?! Under 18 years of age and often as young as 7 or 8, they miss out on the kind of childhood their friends experience to look after an ill or disabled relative.
If you are a young carer or know someone who is, you can find more information and advice at www.youngcarers.net
