Spreading a wave of kindness to looked after children in Bucks

Charities, Community, Cultural and the Arts, Education

A group of children in care in Bucks have been the lucky recipients of a free Kindness Wave in the form of an art and activity parcel to keep them entertained during the summer holidays.

Volunteers at the Aylesbury Vale Kindness Wave organisation were successful in gaining a £750 grant from local charity, The Clare Foundation, to make up the parcels. Working in partnership with the Buckinghamshire Virtual School, the packs were handed out to 40 primary school aged children in the Aylesbury Vale area. The packs included a variety of goodies including:

  • A set of fabric pens
  • A pencil case and apron to decorate
  • A storybook
  • A sketchbook
  • A handmade heart
  • Handmade soap

A group of older children living in care homes in Buckinghamshire also received a parcel which included a lampshade they could decorate themselves.

Buckinghamshire’s Virtual School is a team of education specialists at Buckinghamshire Council who work with schools, social workers, carers and young people to ensure children in care and those who have recently left care achieve their full potential at school. The team was able to highlight a group of children who had found the recent lockdown particularly difficult and who would benefit from the gesture.

Mark Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “We are extremely grateful to both Aylesbury Vale Kindness Wave for organising the initiative and The Clare Foundation for donating the funds to buy the items to go in these parcels.

“We have all found the past few months difficult but for many of our children in care the stress and uncertainty caused by the pandemic has been very hard to cope with. These parcels mean the world to the children who have received them. They give them a sense of comfort and support their mental wellbeing during these unsettling times.”

Mike Clare, Founder and Chairman of The Clare Foundation said: “We are delighted to work together with Aylesbury Vale Kindness Wave and Buckinghamshire Council to support these vulnerable children. Children need to be children, to enjoy activities, learn new things and have fun. These parcels will allow them to play and create freely as they enjoy their summer holidays without a care in the world, as all children should.”

The team at Buckinghamshire’s Virtual School has been so impressed with the way the parcels have been received by the children and young people, they are planning to create a back to school package for September and a possible Christmas package, subject to funding being found.

The Kindness Wave is a national organisation that arranges delivery of unique and educational gift parcels to children and young people – delivering love and comfort wrapped in a parcel. Visit their website: www.thekindnesswave.org.uk

The Clare Foundation is a local charity that brings together key partners to create positive change in Buckinghamshire. Visit their website: www.theclarefoundation.org