Keep up to date with the latest news from LandAid, including new projects, fundraising successes and thought leadership pieces from across the industry.
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Last Thursday, Russell Brand brought the public's attention to the Focus E15 occupation in Newham. A group of women and their babies were living illegally in flats earmarked for demolition after spending cuts meant their hostel was forced to close leaving the women to be rehoused outside of London, away from families and friends.
I was delighted to visit Stepney Bank Stables and to join in with the celebrations at the grand opening of the new Learning Centre, a LandAid-funded refurbishment.
I arrived at Newcastle YMCA after an invigorating cycle from Newcastle's Central Station - east along the Tyne and then uphill through Byker to Walker - to find a site in the final stages of construction.
After a summer of crunching numbers, reviewing targets and drawing up graphs, LandAid can now proudly announce the launch of its 2013/14 Financial Review. A detailed summary of the charity's performance over the 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014 can be found in the document below, but for starters, here's a selection of our highlights:
Last night saw the official launch of LandAid's pro bono campaign at our annual summer party. On the night, we asked the property and construction sectors to donate over £200,000 worth of vital time and expertise to support our projects. We want each of our corporate supporters to commit at least 10 days of free professional advice in 2014-15, acting as a catalyst social objectives and the resources of businesses to drive change. The overall aim is to get 40 companies to donate 10 days each.
Child poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK today. It affects every area of a child's development - social, educational and personal - and places families and communities under incredible strain. It's also bad for the economy. It is estimated that every year £29 billion is lost in costs to the Exchequer and reduced GDP. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) the consequences of child poverty include reduced productivity, lower educational attainment and poor health.
On a beautifully sunny day in June, Liz Potts, Elise Austin and I travelled south west to Jamie's Farm in Wiltshire. A number of students from a south west London secondary school were half way through their five day residential visit. Aged 11 to 16 years, they had various emotional and behavioural problems - the type of young people who benefit from the holistic approach of Jamie's Farm.
The glorious weather of 'Flaming June' really showcased the inspiring grounds of Trafford Hall during my visit last week. Joined on my charity visit by Danielle Rorison of LandAid Foundation Partner McLaren Property, we were welcomed to the 18th century manor house by Trafford Hall's Chief Executive Sally Wyatt.
The stark figures released by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty (SMCP) Commission last week highlight the real challenges facing young people in the UK. The most sobering statistic is that 3.5 million children will be in absolute poverty by 2020 - the very year that the Government's aim of eradicating child poverty will expire. The Commission's damning assessment in response to the Government's draft child poverty strategy 2014 to 2017 is that the Coalition is not doing nearly enough to address the problem.
