There is a strong committee working tirelessly at St Giles to support the Children’s Society which is a Christian- based children’s charity supporting all children in the UK.
The committee hold numerous events to raise money during the year as well as organising svings boxes for everyone to keep at home.
One of the Committee members, Jo Simpson, wrote about her visit to the LEAP project in Leeds
LEAP Project
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Leeds LEAP project, funded by the Children’s Society, and based in The Cubic Business Centre, Stanningley Road, Leeds 13.
I found my visit both informative and inspiring. The staff were welcoming and enthusiastic about the projects they were developing to benefit the young people of Leeds. The Centre was colourful and bright, with informative displays and good facilities for training and staff and volunteer development.
LEAP stands for Listening, Empowerment, Advocacy and Participation. The LEAP project is committed to enabling disabled and refugee children, alongside professionals, to overcome barriers and to challenge ignorance that stops them reaching their full potential.
Leeds City Council and Leeds Early Years Development and Children’s Partnership are involved in funding and supporting the programmes with The Children’s Society.
There are two specific projects for young people funded in Leeds
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- Supporting disabled children aged 11-19 by arranging training, support and opportunities for volunteers to Befriend a young disabled person. The befriender will help the young person to undertake activities such as going swimming, to the cinema, shopping, or undertaking sports, art or music, cooking, reading and other activities chosen by the young person, by enabling them and helping them in whatever capacity is appropriate. The befrienders are given stringent checks, and training which includes many aspects, such as legislation, moving and handling, behaviour issues, communication, dietary requirements, mobility issues, etc.
- Supporting young refugees and asylum seekers aged 13-19 not in education, employment and training, (NEET) and encouraging and supporting them into education, employment and training, (EET). Many of these young people need help to negotiate the systems and application routes. They may need translation services and help into a safe environment. An Integrated Youth Support Service is available and works in partnership with agencies to smooth the young peoples path into opportunities.
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I spoke to one project worker who was telling me about a 13 year old asylum seeker, whose mother is disabled. The girl is her mothers main carer. She is having to adjust to education in another language, whilst providing much physical support at home. They are not housed in a particularly suitable property, and the area has many social issues. Her LEAP project worker is trying to improve the situation for the whole family whilst concentrating on supporting the young girl.
A significant training programme has been developed to support staff and volunteers in their roles. A training DVD has been produced, alongside a Charter, most articulately and movingly created by disabled children in Leeds expressing their expectations of professionals who work with them.
The Childrens Society has also developed a CD-Rom and toolkit for disabled children and young people with communication difficulties, called “I’ll go First”. This offers a customised package to enable the child to indicate their requirements, and includes colourful hardwearing boards with illustrations and electrostatic stickers. The CD-Rom enables the children to make their views known in a creative and immediate way. The system, called the PACT project is used in more than 60 local authorities, and is unique.
I am pleased to be associated with a charity which is making a difference for the vulnerable children and young people of Leeds.