Young Camden Foundation is a registered charity and membership organisation based in the borough. It supports over 130 Camden-based charities that offer vital services and support to children and young people. Last winter, Camden residents donated over £25,000 to Young Camden Foundation’s winter appeal to tackle holiday hunger and provide warm spaces. We spoke to Daisy Srblin, CEO, and Sam Speer, Partnership Development and Grants Manager, to find out how these generous donations help to support Camden’s young people.
What impact did the donations from Camden residents have last winter?
We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to our last winter appeal – thank you so much. In total, over £25,000 was raised and contributed to funding 13 projects across Camden that provided free winter activities, helping nearly 700 children and young people – many of whom receive free school meals. One young person who attended February half-term activities organised by NW5 Project and funded by the donations said: “I’ve never had such a fun half term. I usually stay home and don’t see my school friends but having something to do and go every day made it so fun. I really enjoyed the evening sessions with the baking activities.”
“We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to our last winter appeal Over £25,000 was raised, helping nearly 700 children and young people.”
Please could you tell us about some of the projects that Camden residents helped to support last winter?
Some incredible organisations received grants from us which helped to fund a variety of activities.
- NW5 Project provided February half-term activities for 38 young people, which included a hot meal every day and several off-site trips.
- CARIS Families support children and families living in temporary accommodation. They used the grant to take children from a local hostel on fun day trips – including to the theatre and Children’s Story Centre in Stratford.
- Creators House ran a 6-week DJ workshop for 10 young people, helping them learn a new skill with an experienced teacher.
- King’s Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association (KCBNA) used their grant to host a variety of events – including a FIFA PlayStation World Cup tournament that was very popular, as well as regular Boxercise sessions.
Our grantees reported that most of the activities wouldn’t have been possible without the grants that were funded by the generous donations from Camden residents – so thank you!
Do you know how this year’s donations will be used?
Donations will be used in a similar way in that they will be distributed across a variety of our member organisations. They provide fun and enriching activities and events for Camden’s young people over the winter months and beyond into the first half of 2024. This could include fun day trips to other parts of London or further afield – such as museums, ice skating, the cinema and much more. This is really exciting as, often, these young people have never left Camden or North London. This gives them the opportunity to experience new places, make new friends and make memories. Funding will also be earmarked for projects or activities that specifically aim to improve and support young peoples’ mental health. All funds will go straight to our amazing specialist member organisations who are experts in the work they do.
Find out more
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/YCFWinterAppeal2023. For more information about Young Camden Foundation visit youngcamdenfoundation.org.uk. You can also follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
