This month, we’re spreading some positive vibes by getting up close with some of JD Foundation‘s charity partners – finding out more about them, as well as how they’re dealing with the challenges of the current situation.
Don’t know about the foundation? Each year, the JD Foundation forges a partnership with a number of small charities. The aim is to help support those working with disadvantaged young people in the UK. With a range of focuses from education to mental health charities, the foundation does lots to help – and their contributions help to keep the partners doing all the good stuff they’re doing during these testing times.
Right here, we’re taking a look at three of our charities that specialise in working with kids – check it out…
Bolton Wanderers Community Trust
The Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, aka Wanderers Soccer School not only develops children on the pitch, but away from it too. With a range of soccer schools and camps, the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust promotes mutual respect, professionalism, work ethic and loads more.
While they’ve had to stop their usual activity, the charity is keeping in contact with the vulnerable kids through everything from regular calls, to challenges on social media. Over on twitter (@WanderersSS_), the kids are taking part in virtual leagues, uploading videos of their 30 second challenges, which are voted on with likes and retweets.
They also started up a project called ‘FIT TROTTERS’, with video workouts, whatsapp groups and more encouraging young people to stay active while at home.
(@manchesteryouthzone)
Manchester Youth Zone
Based in North Manchester, Manchester Youth Zone is a children’s charity with the aim to inspire a generation. They offer the local youth somewhere to go, something to do AND someone to talk to.
The Youth Zone works with children and teenagers aged 6 to 19, all the way up to 25 for those with additional needs. On a standard week, Manchester Youth Zone has over 1000 visits. It’s a safe, warm and welcoming space for kids to visit when they’re not in school.
Putting on activities, events, one to one support and loads more, the charity aims to offer the essential tools kids need to build confidence and create positive relationships – all while giving back to their community.
In the current situation, Manchester Youth Zone has had to follow government guidelines and temporarily close. But that’s not stopped them for being there for the kids. The team are working from home and they’re still offering one-to-one support for those in need. Each of the members have been assigned a caseworker, and the team are available to chat most days over on their Facebook.
Not only offering support, they’re keeping the kids involved and entertained through their Instagram page @manchesteryouthzone. With challenges, daily quizzes, riddles and more, they’re spreading all the positive vibes – even from home. #VirtualMYZ
(Sacriston Youth Project)
Sacriston Youth Project
Based in Durham, the Sacriston Youth Project was started as a safe place for young people to meet, learn and develop. The people that work for the project encourage young people to use their free time to do something useful. With a loads of activities available, as well as advice and info, the Sacriston Youth Project is usually THE social hub for the local youth.
While the Youth Project is temporarily closed, the guys have been working in partnership with Sacriston Enterprise Workshops on their ‘Food for Thought’ initiative. The kids that Sacriston Youth regularly works with are likely to be some of those worst affected by Coronavirus – and so the project has been working on other ways to help.
They’ve been delivering food and other essential packages to people and families in the community who are most vulnerable – including those self-isolating and those with financial worries. To do this, they set up a ‘Food for Thought’ crowdfunding page, with donations helping buy and deliver hot meals, as well as building up their own food bank of essentials.
With the help and support that the JD Foundation provides all of their charity partners, Manchester Youth Zone, Sacriston Youth Project and the Soccer School are able to keep offering support during this difficult time – which is when the kids they work with need them most. If you want to do your bit to help, you can donate over at the JD Foundation’s Total Giving page here.
With partners specialising in education, mental health and more, stay tuned for more info on the JD Foundation and their charity partners. Stay in the loop @thejdfoundation!
