We have received another £10,000 from the Big Lottery!
We have received £25,000 in total from this fund.
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Thank you to Birmingham Airport for supplying us with suitcases!
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About Bags of Hope UK
Bags of Hope UK is a registered charity (registration number: 1179378) which aims to improve the experiences of children and young people in the care system.
We recognise the difficulties that children and young people face throughout their time in care, and we want to help make this a better experience.
In March 2019, there were 6,845looked after children in Wales alone.
Many children who grow up in foster care will have experienced numerous placement moves, potentially resulting in separation from siblings, moving schools and disruptions to attachments and social networks. These are only a few of the issues experienced and there are a number of children's charities which exist to address these already.
Our charity was established in February 2017 to address one key issue.
Often, children and young people are moved with their personal belongings stored and transported in bin liners and shopping carrier bags. This often happens as a result of limited resources, ongoing pressures for professionals and the nature of emergency transitions. Children and young people tell us that this contributes to the stress and anxiety about moving as they fear that their possessions, which may remind them of life prior to foster care, may become lost or damaged. We are also told that this makes children and young people feel like rubbish and that no one cares. We feel that children, young people and their belongings should be treated with dignity and respect.
What we provide
Bags of Hope UK provides bags, suitcases and holdalls for children and young people
that can be used throughout their journey in the care system. These items will belong to the young people and must not be kept by the foster carer or professional. The hope is that this will prevent moves where belongings are transported in bin liners and shopping bags. We also provide toiletries and comforting items such as toys, colouring pencils and reading books.
We currently have funding to provide this service in South Wales only, and are not able to offer this in other areas at this time.
News and Updates
Jess, one of our trustees and her partner, ran 104 MILES within 24 HOURS in aid of Bags of Hope UK!
We are currently working
in partnership with NYAS Advocacy Service to engage with young people.
BBC Cymru has recently written an article about our service. Click here to read.
Thank you!
Taffs Well RFC Ladies have kindly donated £500 which enables us to deliver a pilot project in South Wales.
Jess and Steve
July 2017: Jess and her partner Steve ran 104 miles within 24 hours to raise money for Bags of Hope UK!
Jess and Steve
Jess and Steve's fundraising event in aid of Bags of Hope UK. 104 miles in 24 hours!
Jess and Steve finished the event at Barry Island Park Run!
In preparation for the 104 mile fundraiser, Jess and Steve ran the Edinburgh marathon as a warm up!!
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The Big Lottery has kindly awarded Bags of Hope UK
with £5,000 to provide bags and suitcases for children and young people across South Wales.
We received a donation of £200 to trial a project in which we provided children and young people with necessities such as toiletries, colouring books, toys etc.
Our trustees Daniel and Lisa appeared live on Prynhawn Da recently to talk about the service. Click here to view.
Greggs Community Fund has provided us with £2,000 to provide essential items such as toiletries, toys and colouring books for children and young people across South Wales.