FoundationHighlightsEdition 87 l January 2016

Another year of transforming young lives begins!

January 2016 2dmthomasfoundation.org

Blackpool puts its dancing shoes on

Thanks to an amazing opportunity created by our supporters at Hilton Blackpool 750 School children from 27 schools in the Blackpool area were able to give the performance of their lives for a Foundation community event, “Historical Pieces”. The Blackpool dance event is now in its 7th year, and a huge local success. This year the theme of the night was historical dances. Over 1,650 parents, teachers and carers packed out the famous Blackpool Opera House to watch their children perform dance numbers and helped to raise over £10,500 for the Foundation.

The event was organised by Karen Oldroyd and her team of volunteers alongside the Schools Sports Network, an organisation which aims to give children in the area the opportunity to participate in sport, dance and exercise. The 2015 dance extravaganza was held in support of the Foundation and included pieces from the Roaring 20’s, Billy Elliot & the Miners Strike, Maypole Madness, Women’s Rise to Power, Ancient Egypt and many more. It included high school children performing with primary schools, and children with special and additional needs.

The Finale, a spectacle not to be missed, welcomed all 750 children on the stage together as they received a standing ovation.

Karen said: “This is an amazing community event, and grows year on year, long may we continue to see so many happy dancing feet.”

Huge congratulations and thanks go to Karen and Schools Sports Network, all the participating dancers and to all of our volunteers and supporters at Hilton Blackpool for putting together another fantastic event. The team is now planning its next big event on 8 March.

January 2016 3dmthomasfoundation.org

The Foundation celebrates ABLE with £5k Giveaway

From 2016 the Foundation will support Employability as a theme under our ABLE banner, building on years of support to young people through the provision of training programmes and into-work schemes. Employability has long been of key importance to the Foundation, not least because we are proud to oversee Galvin’s Chance our into-work programme, some of the successful graduates of which are pictured.

To celebrate this, we held a special £5K Giveaway, inviting charities working with disadvantaged young people to apply for support for their employability projects. We have received some fantastic applications from across the UK. Congratulations to

WorkingRite, Kingsbury Training Centre Ltd, Artillery Youth-Centre and Include Youth who will each receive £1,000, and to Her Equality Rights and Autonomy (HERA) and Equal People Performing Arts, Rayleigh who will both receive £500. You can read more about their projects below.

WorkingRiteWorkingRite is a youth employment charity in Edinburgh which helps disadvantaged young people aged 16-18 into jobs, apprenticeships and purposeful learning. They individually match young people to a small or medium sized business, for a local, supported work placement which can last up to six months. We awarded WorkingRite £1,000 for the purchase of protective clothing, uniform and equipment for their work placements, qualification fees and training costs for young people to undertake motivational training, and the recruitment of trainees and placement employers.

Kingsbury Training Centre LtdKingsbury Training Centre in Birmingham delivers vocational training to 16-18 year olds who are not in employment, education or training. They deliver accredited training including a City and Guild’s certificate in Hair and Beauty, and were awarded £1,000 for equipment such as hairdressing college kits, barbering kits, a nail bar and a reception desk.

Artillery Youth-CentreArtillery are based in Belfast and deliver an employability project for young people who are not currently in education, training or employment. We awarded them with £1,000 to deliver a programme of mentoring support and youth work-focussed training, which would include Food Hygiene certification, OCN in employability and Basic Catering Skills.

Include YouthInclude Youth manage a number of employability projects in Northern Ireland. We awarded them £1,000 to assist their young people to gain qualifications including Essential Skills for Numeracy and Literacy, and courses to assist young people into employment.

HERAHERA works to prevent trafficking and re-trafficking of young women, and to help women survivors build on their resilience to achieve their ambitions for a better life. We awarded them with £500 to recruit young women survivors for an intensive entrepreneurship training course at Imperial Business School.

Equal People Performing Arts, RayleighEqual People in Rayleigh, Essex applied to fund one day workshops, created to help young adults who are disengaged from formal education to transition from education to employment. Working with the Mushroom Theatre Company, and using drama techniques the day will help young people to prepare for interviews and eventually employment.

January 2016 4dmthomasfoundation.org

Chocs for Chance returns!Over 40 of the best chefs in the UK are creating one of a kind chocolate boxes

for you!

An online auction will run from 29 January - 8 February

You can bid on chocolates from chefs including Tom Kerridge, Raymond Blanc and Michel Roux Jr

Tom Kerridge Raymond Blanc Michel Roux Jr

Find out more at chocsforchance.orgFunds raised from Chocs for Chance will be used to support our into-work programme Galvin’s Chance

January 2016 5dmthomasfoundation.org

Gatwick Gives Away £10K to local causes

Thanks to a partnership with The Crawley Observer and Hilton London Gatwick Airport, the Foundation was able to award funding totalling £10,000 to 12 charities across the Crawley area in Sussex, UK.

Representatives from 12 groups, clubs and charities attended a ceremony at the hotel on 3 December, where they all received awards from our £10k Giveaway event. Our aim was to support small, local groups which help improve the education and well-being of young people in the Crawley district.

Blaise Tapp from the newspaper welcomed all the participants and was joined by Casper Luiken, Director of Operations at the hotel and colleagues Victoria Sant and Sofia Cicarelli. Louise James from the Foundation helped award the grants to the benefiting charities.

All of those present at the ceremony left with a spring in their step, including Lynda Guy, chairman of the Golden Lion Children’s Trust, which supports children with special needs.

The Golden Lion Children’s Trust received £500, which will go towards cinema tickets for young people. Lynda Guy said: “We are volunteers and reliant on funding so to get something like this is magnificent. We are getting more and more phonecalls about families in crisis, particularly in the Crawley area and we are doing the best we can.”

January 2016 6dmthomasfoundation.org

Children’s charities receive boost in CyprusCypriot charities Hope for Children, Akropolis High School and Agios Dometios Gymnasium received a much-needed boost this December. Our supporters from Hilton Cyprus presented cheques amounting to €5,500 to the three charities, to help their future projects supporting disadvantaged young children.

The “Hope for Children” UNCRC Policy Center is an international humanitarian and independent Institution based in Nicosia, Cyprus. It works on humanitarian and development policy relevant to

the defense and promotion of children’s rights through research, grassroots program design and implementation and advisory services offered to governments and international organizations. The two schools serve the local community in Cyprus.

Funds were raised from a Charity Gala Dinner that was organised by Hilton Cyprus in collaboration with Cyprus France Business Association, the Embassy of France, and Cyprus Chamber of Commerce, on 4 December 2015.

The hotel also raised funds for Marrios III Hospital, Mana and Stathis Skaploullaros.

Maria Christodoulou of Hilton Cyprus highlighted the importance of giving to the less fortunate and stated that the hotel will be delighted to continue its charity work in 2016 through the Foundation.

Coming soon - the Ducks for Change have a new mobile adventure

Don’t forget, you can still download River Dash - play today for free!

January 2016 7dmthomasfoundation.org

We were delighted to award £8,700 to the Play and Opportunity Library in Swansea in December. This will be used for funding for a new interactive image projector package to use at sensory play sessions for children with a disability and their families. The new equipment will help the children to be able to develop their senses.

Kathryn Southard, a supporter of the Foundation who is General Manager at Regus Princess Way in Swansea, visited the centre to present the cheque to Project Leader Judy Lynch on our behalf. She said:

“What a pleasure it was to meet with Judy and her team last week. The work that they do with the children is simply amazing and I found it a very humbling experience meeting with everybody”.

Judy Lynch said: “We are thrilled that the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People is supporting these costs for the new equipment, which will help us to continue to provide the best possible service for our children.”

Foundation supporters visit children in Swansea

Generous team members at Hilton Worldwide’s head office in Watford collected more than 50 gifts for children and young people in need this Christmas. Using our network of local youth charities, willing volunteers delivered the gifts to The Salvation Army in Hemel Hempstead, while another group visited Watford General Hospital’s paediatric ward. Play specialist Helen from the ward said: “Thank you all so much at Hilton for your absolutely superb donations to Starfish Ward today. We will start giving them out to patients when they are discharged home from the ward or on Christmas Day if they are still in hospital. Thanks again for your generosity. Happy Christmas!”

Spreading Christmas cheer in Watford

January 2016 8dmthomasfoundation.org

Join us! Run, walk, dance, or cycle and help us go

Around the World in a Day12th-18th June 2016

Register today at dmthomasfoundation.org/awd

January 2016 9dmthomasfoundation.org

Little Orchids Centre is a charitable organisation in Derry / Londonderry which provides therapeutic intervention and support for children from 2 - 4 years old with special needs and their parents and carers. The Foundation awarded Little Orchids with £2671.79 from its ABLE funds for the purchase of sensory room equipment. One of the children to benefit from the sensory room is Noah. His Mum Kellie told us what a difference the centre has made to them.

Noah’s StoryNoah was referred by his Health Visitor regarding concerns about his communication, social skills and behaviour. Noah had a lot of sensory issues, holding his ears frequently and the back of his head and throwing objects spontaneously. Noah was given was given a place at Little Orchids in March 2015. Kellie, Noah’s Mum, told us about the difference being at Little Orchids has made.

Before Noah started Little Orchids Jeff and I noticed that Noah’s progress was noticeably slower than it was for children of a similar age, we became increasingly worried about Noah’s difficulty in meeting those developmental milestones.

He was a very energetic, noisy and overactive little boy. We found his behaviour difficult to cope with, as he regularly took tantrums, banging his head of the floor or walls and hitting his head. These tantrums would happen anywhere such as at home, in the car especially if we decided on a route that was different from where Noah expected to go, shopping / restaurants specifically certain sounds, lights and other sights. He seemed to find it hard to communicate his needs and would become really frustrated and anxious. This particular behaviour occurred 5 – 10 times a day and would last up to an hour sometimes. For us as parents to watch, these were very upsetting scenes and embarrassing if they happened in public. As parents we felt completely hopeless.

Noah started Little Orchids in March 2015, where he immediately received one to one specialised assistance. Since then we as a family have noticed significant differences to Noah’s social and communication skills and behaviour. Noah never really understood general social rules before he started Little Orchids however as a result of his short time there he generally ‘waits his turn’, ‘shares’, ‘listens’, ‘tidies up’’, sits on his seat’. Little Orchids developed a

Grant update: Little Orchids Centre

January 2016 10dmthomasfoundation.org

structured routine that Noah seemed to understand and follow.

During Noah’s assessment the Staff told us that consistency was very important and whatever strategies they would use to help Noah should be used by everyone involved with Noah, including other family members. We followed this at home and it worked. Obviously these changes didn’t happen overnight but we were patient and it wasn’t long before we noticed small, positive changes.

We kept a daily behaviour diary to help try identifying what triggers a particular behaviour. We found this really useful as Little Orchids would respond to our daily entries suggesting ways to deal or control his behaviour.

Little Orchids used Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) with Noah, this we found to be really effective as Noah found spoken communication difficult to understand. So as a general rule we use short clear sentences along with visual aids. If we plan to go anywhere with Noah we will use a visual timetable using photos / pictures to show him what he will see and why we are going. Noah seems to find it easier to process visual information.

He now takes more notice of us showing him photo / pictures cards and telling him to ‘sit in his seat’ or ‘feet on floor’, than just verbal instructions on their own.

We have downloaded Emotion apps on the Ipad and he sometimes uses this to tell us he’s sad or happy. He has even made comments about other people’s facial expressions such as ‘surprised’ when actually that’s just how they look in general.

Little Orchids recommended their Parents Support Group (Friends of Little Orchids), so we had opportunities to talk to and get advice from other parents. It was a great way to let off steam and also it was good to know that we were not the only ones in this situation even though sometimes it felt that way.

Little Orchids taught Noah routine and us strategies to help him meet his potential. We now use these in everyday family situations. Overtime these have improved his behaviour and ultimately brought more fun and happiness into our much less stressed family.

Our one regret is that Noah did not have the opportunity of a full nursery term at Little Orchids. We would have loved to see Noah’s full potential if he had received a year’s specialised support and care at Little Orchids.

The sensory room is put to good use.

January 2016 11dmthomasfoundation.org

New mobile sensory equipment granted to Maidstone schoolThe Foundation has awarded funding of £7,495 to Friends of Five Acre Wood School in Maidstone, to purchase a mobile sensory unit for use at the school by children with profound, complex and severe learning difficulties and disabilities.

The grant has been possible thanks to voluntary fundraising for the Foundation from companies across the UK, including Hilton Maidstone which is located about four miles south of the school, in Weavering. Leonardo Gagliano, manager of Hilton Maidstone visited the project with his assistant Jess Pollard.

Jess said: “What a fantastic school. I really enjoyed my visit and having a chance to meet the dedicated staff and wonderful children. I was pleased to hear more about their work and about the mobile sensory equipment we are helping them to purchase. I am delighted that through our voluntary fundraising support of the Foundation our hotel has been able to contribute to this project which will help children in our local community.”

Leonardo and Jess were met by Charlotte Pragassa, a student at the school and chair of the student council.

Jane Gardiner from the school and fundraiser for the charity said: “We are thrilled that DM Thomas Foundation for Young People is supporting these costs for the new equipment, which will help us to be able to continue to provide the best possible education and support for our children. We were delighted to meet Leonardo and Jess. They were such nice visitors and really good with the children. Charlotte was really excited to tell her parents about the visit.”

Simon Sheehan, Director of the Foundation said: “Through our grants programme we are able to support some amazing local and national youth causes like Friends of Five Acre Wood School. Our Grants Committee was impressed by the specialist support it provides to children with special needs and their families and was unanimously in favour of awarding funding to buy this new equipment.”

Charlotte (centre) meets Leonardo Gagliano and Jess Pollard to receive £7,495

January 2016 12dmthomasfoundation.org

Grant update: The Teapot Trust

In September 2015 the Foundation awarded The Teapot Trust £1,300 to provide Open Group Art Therapy sessions at Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, for children suffering from rheumatological conditions. We want children at hospital to be able to access education and opportunities during their care. Art Therapist Kathy White got in touch to let us know what a difference art therapy can have to the lives of children in hospital.

Kathy’s Story

For most children, the minute they set eyes on an art table, they light up. Their eyes grow big and I ask them “Do you want to paint something?”

However, there is the odd occasion, when for some young children, approaching a table with an abundance of art materials can be a little intimidating. I often ask the children if they do lots of art at school. A surprising number of them say no! A large number of parents also tell me they don’t have paints as they say they are “too messy”. Therefore I always try to find a way to attract a child who is not so familiar with paints, clay or other art materials to the Teapot Trust table.

I therefore created these little figures. They are easily made with wool, googly eyes. The colour scheme and gender of the figure can be determined by the maker.

One boy, who told me he was 8, came to my table when he saw one of the figures had a ninja headband. “Cool” he said. “Would you like to make one?” I offered, to which he nodded yes. Then he ran off to get his brother, who was only 4. He wanted one too, then a girl joined and said she wanted to do one but wearing a pink dress, and before I

knew what was happening I had a group of five or so children, all wanting to make a figure.

For many children who come to the Teapot Trust art table, they do not have much choice when they step into hospital. They are bound by the rules of their treatment plans, their schedule determined by doctors and parents. To offer an activity where they make a “Cool” ninja figure, giving them a toy they have made, a toy that represents their own power of choice and creation is a hugely beneficial and supportive way for them to experience their hospital visit in an entirely different way.

Some of the little figures created at the Teapot Trust Art Table

January 2016 13dmthomasfoundation.org

Dates for your Diary

08/03/2016 Hilton Blackpool Charity Music Festival

18/06/2016 Hilton Brighton Metropole Midsummer Ball

21/07/2016 Hilton Worldwide - International Procurement Golf Day

08/10/2016 Hilton Manchester Deansgate Star Ball

12/11/2016 Hilton Avisford Park, Arundel Ball

26/11/2016 Foundation Foundation Ball

If you would like to attend any of these events, please visit the events page on our website to book. If you have any other events not shown, do tell us at events@dmtfyp.org.

If you have activities that you would like to be included in the next edition of Highlights please contact us on comms@dmtfyp.org We wish you the best of luck with all of your Foundation activities and thank you for helping us to transform young lives.