Richmond Voluntary Fund chosen charities

ADHD Embrace 

ADHD Embrace is a registered charity (No. 1188759) working with families and professionals who live and work with children and young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The charity works to ensure that children and young people with ADHD are understood, supported and thrive.  

Early intervention and support can change the direction of the lives of young people with ADHD, and ADHD Embrace provides the tools which helps to enable this, providing knowledge, advice and practical support at home and in education to allow them to reach their potential.

• £50 could provide a free place for a parent on a positive parenting workshop
• £125 could support a local school visit to provide an ADHD awareness session for parents
• £175 could support a local school visit with training to teachers and staff about ADHD and the best ways to support pupils with ADHD in the school and classroom
• £300 could provide a parent with a place on a six-week parenting course offering tools and emotional and practical support (e.g. Behaviour Management for Children with ADHD or Couples and ADHD: Making Family Life Better)

Home-Start Richmond Kingston & Hounslow

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow is a registered charity (No: 1108975) dedicated to giving children the best start in life. During the crucial early years, they provide targeted support to children under five whose wellbeing and development may be at risk. Many face challenges such as special educational needs (SEND), developmental delays, or difficulties with social communication and emotional regulation. The charity supports child development and wellbeing, empowers parents and strengthens family bonds.

• £48 could fund a weekly support group for a vulnerable family
• £145 could allow three families to take part in a summer activities programme
• £560 could put a fully trained volunteer on a family’s doorstep
• £1,700 could support a vulnerable child for a year through the delivery of early interventions, including one-to-one volunteer support, structured stay-and-play groups for parents and children, and free holiday activities
• £5,600 could fund a family playgroup for six months

Marble Hill Playcentres

Marble Hill Playcentres is a registered charity (No. 1110615) that provides the only adventure playground (for 5 to 15 year olds) and park-based One O’Clock Club (for 0 to 5 year olds and their parents) in the borough.

Marble Hill Playcentres brings value to the local community by giving children freedom to play independently in a uniquely stimulating outside environment and championing the value of outdoor self-led physical play for children of all ages and needs.

• £7 could fund a play pass for a child with additional needs to attend an adventure playground session
• £12.50 could provide sensory resources for a SENSational Saturday session
• £190 could pay for a dedicated SENSational Saturday session
• £160 could pay for the attendance of an inclusive play specialist

Off The Record Twickenham 

Off the Record Twickenham is a registered charity (No. 1152097) that dramatically improves the lives of young people and their families and saves lives.

Off The Record is the only free and confidential provider that offers walk-in counselling, information, and sexual health services for local young people (11 to 24 years old) working or studying in the borough of Richmond, in addition to weekly bookable counselling sessions and support sessions for parents. They are a specialist provider, offering an independent, confidential, welcoming and safe space for support. Many services across the borough refer young people to Off the Record, including schools and GP’s.

• £10 could fund a short drop-in support session for a young person
• £60 could provide a crisis counselling session for a young person in need 
• £180 could fund a satellite support service for a week
• £400 could provide 10 sessions for parents to help them support young people in need in their care. 
• £600 could provide a young person with a full counselling programme with an experienced counsellor

The Otakar Kraus Music Trust

The Otakar Kraus Music Trust is a registered charity (No. 1178401) which provides music therapy for people with learning, physical, neurological or psychological difficulties, to improve their well-being and quality of life though participatory music making. Its services are designed to improve the communication, life skills and mental well-being of children and young people with disabilities, starting from vital early intervention and progressing through to adolescence and young adulthood. 

• £25 could provide a piano lesson for an isolated teenager with autism
• £250 could provide a venue for our 2 Christmas concerts
• £500 could provide a 12-week course of music therapy for a child who has experienced trauma
• £1,000 could provide a music/social group for 20 young people for 6 weeks

Skylarks

Skylarks is a registered charity (No. 1148114) that provides activities and therapies for children with disabilities and additional needs. It also supports and provides therapies, courses and information for whole families. Funding will help Skylarks to support children and young people with holiday activities and outings, specific programmes like Pedal Project (learning to ride a bike) and Spread Your Wings (career and employability programme), online activities, karate sessions, stay and play sessions, drama sessions, music and drumming sessions, hairdressing, osteopathy sessions, cooking sessions, counselling and developmental yoga.

• £20 could provide two children with additional needs and disabilities an inclusive activities session, giving access to sports, drama and creative play therapy
• £250 could provide a 12-week counselling programme for a young person with additional needs, supporting mental health and emotional well-being
• £500 could fund an employability skills workshop as part of the 'Spread Your Wings' programme, helping young people with additional needs gain confidence and prepare for future careers
• £1,000 could provide over 50 children with additional needs access to free summer holiday activities, including inclusive sports, fun workshops and day trips

Young people's wellbeing in Richmond

If you are concerned about a young person’s mental health, you can find out more information on how to get support by contacting the Single Point of Access team on 020 8547 5008. If you need to speak to someone urgently after hours or at the weekend, call the Out of Hours team on 020 8770 5000. 

For more information visit the AfC website.