Project HappyChild
DIRECTORY

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Children in Crisis works in partnership with local communities to provide educational opportunities as a route out of poverty for the world’s most vulnerable children and their families. We currently operate in 10 countries, working with local communities to meet the needs of children in the most effective way.
In Africa and Asia we support local organisations to develop education programmes which meet the needs of children and their communities by training teachers, training in basic health messages and building and equipping schools. In Europe, there is a need for drugs education. We work with these children to ensure that they have the information and skills needed to make positive, informed decisions about their own lives.

Sick children need the support and love that only their family can give more than ever when they are seriously ill. Unfortunately seriously ill children often have to travel many miles from home in order to receive the necessary medical treatment. The Sick Children's Trust is a national charity providing 'Home from Home' accommodation for the families of sick children at specialist hospitals for paediatric care.

Please click here to read about the "Homes from Home" we have created at hospitals in the UK, for families of sick children.

All children have talents and the National Association for Gifted Children believes that it is their right to develop them as fully as possible. What actually happens is often very different. Many children are given neither the encouragement nor the opportunity to develop their abilities and interests. We have been helping children, families, teachers and other professionals for 30 years and are actively working with our legislators to establish the rights of children as individuals. Our work is with the most able children, who can suffer particular deprivation and unhappiness if their needs are not met: but by improving provision for them, all children will surely benefit. Through a network of local branches, we offer regular, stimulating activities for able and gifted children, local support groups for parents, and a counselling and advisory service.

KIDS is a fast-growing national charity which strives to enable children with disabilities and other special needs to develop their skills and abilities. It is a unique organisation based upon a close partnership with parents and provides real solutions to the difficulties which children with disabilities face. KIDS is not a grant making body.

The Starlight Children's Foundation grants wishes to children between the ages of 4 and 18 who are critically, chronically and terminally ill. Wishes fall into four broad categories: celebrity, experience, gift and travel wishes. Wishes may vary from being a magic fairy to meeting the Prime Minister. Wish referrals are made by writing to the Starlight Office and once forms have been completed, the wish is allocated to a trained volunteer. Starlight pays for the entire wish and each wish involves the child's parents and brothers and sisters under 18 in order to strengthen important family bonds. We rely on donations from individuals, companies and trusts as well as fundraising activities for support. If you would like to help or refer a wish child, please write to us at the above address.

Meningitis Research Foundation is a national charity fighting to prevent death and disability resulting from meningitis and septicaemia by funding vital scientific research into its prevention, detection and treatment. The Foundation also works to raise public awareness of meningitis and septicaemia, and operates a Freefone 24 Hour Helpline - 080 8800 3344 - giving information to the public, and support for those whose lives are devastated by the disease. The Charity is committed to working alongside health professionals in its fight against meningitis & septicaemia.

A denomination of the Christian Church. The Salvation Army's simple philosophy: "With heart to God and hand to man" epitomises its work as a humanitarian charity. The Army serves in over 100 countries, undertaking relief and rehabilitation work, including social, health and educational programmes; it also provides practical assistance and counselling during emergencies. In the United Kingdom, the Army is second to the Government as the greatest provider of social services. Among its many services it operates nightly soup-runs, eventine homes, hostels for the homeless and re-unites families through its Family Tracing Service. This work is ongoing - donations are always welcome.

Provides a range of community services for people finding it difficult to cope; distributes grants through the UK to people in need. Offers a range of advice and information services and runs a telephone advice / counselling line for anyone with a family problem to use.
FWA FAMILY LINE: 020 7923 9200 (London-wide)

Contact a Family links with a network of 800+ self help / mutual support groups for parents of children with special needs and disabilities. Local groups usually cover a range of special needs, but 300+ are run nationally for parents whose children have a specific, sometimes rare disorder. Contact a Family offers support and training to those parents involved in running these groups both locally and nationally. Our information and advice service links families together and encourages mutual support between parents; provides a Help Line; and publishes a quarterly newsletter, "Share an Idea", and the "Contact a Family Directory - Specific Conditions, Rare Disorders and UK Family Support Groups".
Freephone textphone: 0808 808 3556
Helpline   0808 808 3555   Freephone for parents and families (10am-4pm, Mon-Fri)

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) can make your donations to charity worth even more. If you pay your gift into a Personal Charity Account CAF will reclaim the basic rate of tax and add it to your balance. You can then distribute your donations to any causes or charities of your choosing, using a personalised "chequebook" and debit card - "Charity Card".
Anyone using the CAF Charity Account can respond to television and radio appeals, newspaper advertisements, or simply donate direct to the causes they care about, including many of those listed in the Project HappyChild Directory. For more information: freephone 0800 993311.