April Newsletter

Spring has Sprung!

Over the past two months we have been celebrating children and young people (C&YP) with caring responsibilities and those from Armed Forces Families as we marked Young Carers Action Day along with Month of the Military Child. With that in mind, we’d love to draw your attention to The Children’s Society’s The Nexus Project.

Nexus is a three-year project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust. The project aims to improve support, resources and access to services for young carers within Armed Forces Families.

Caring at a young age can impact a child’s wellbeing, health, education, and free time. These issues are exacerbated for young carers within Armed Forces Families due to parent deployments, frequent house moves and living in secure military housing.

Nexus aims to work with professionals from Armed Forces support services, young carers services, schools, the NHS and others to drive change by:

  • empowering young people to explore their lived experiences
  • building specialist service networks
  • advising on systems change
  • campaigning alongside young carers
  • equipping and training professionals.

They can also help young carers understand their rights, introduce them to other young carers and advise on different ways into education and employment. For more information please click here

MotMC:

We have celebrated the Month of the Military Child in a variety of ways, including working in partnership with Aggies and Pompey Military Kids to secure a community planter space in the recently revamped gardens of Victoria Park, Portsmouth. With the help of award winning garden designer and mental health advocate, Leigh Johnstone aka The @beardygardener the children and young people (C&YP) worked hard to design and ‘plant up’ the space. This will be an ongoing project, with the C&YP regularly updating the space with seasonal decorations and maintaining the plants.

We were delighted to fund Never Such Innocence to deliver school workshops across the UK that encouraged and amplified the voices of Service children. Never Such Innocence have a team of creative practitioners who visited schools in Wales, Preston, Scotland and the Southwest to hold workshops in poetry, art, speech and songwriting. The workshops provided young people with the creative tools to express their feelings and produce powerful pieces of work around the theme of conflict and Service life.

The workshops were not just for military children, they were a great way for all children to learn about what military life looks like for their classmates and peers.

Bicentenary:

We would like to say a massive thank you to Andy Jackson MBE and his partner Helen who very generously turned Andy’s 80th birthday party into a fundraising event for The Naval Children’s Charity. Held at The Ex-Serviceman’s Club in Havant, Andy and Helen raised an amazing amount for us, and we are so incredibly grateful. Thank you both so very much, you are officially inducted into our NCC200 Bicentenary ‘Wall of Fame’.

As part of our bicentenary celebrations, we are delighted to present our brand new range of limited edition ‘NCC 200’ merchandise. If you would like to have a look at our fantastic array you can see all the options available here.

Resources:

We pride ourselves on the wide range and selection of resources we offer our Naval children, from our ‘Doing Distance’ online worksheets, to our ‘Time Penguin’ and ‘Time Rabbit’ books with their knitted companions.

We are about to launch our new range of Wellbeing Packs, in partnership with The Naval Families Federation as a follow on to our Books for All offer. Keep your eyes on our social media channels for the launch of the new and improved offer!

Work Experience Opportunities:

Whatever your young person is considering for the future, work experience is always a valuable addition to any CV! 

However, we know work experience can be hard to come by, or fit around existing studies, which is why we’ve teamed up with Springpod to offer young people aged 13+ a whole host of free, online work experience opportunities. The platform also hosts lots of helpful videos about apprenticeships, T-levels and other qualification routes.

 

Young people can register for FREE by heading to Sign Up | Springpod

 

Please input The Naval Children’s Charity as the School/College when registering.

NCC Vice President, Lt General Ed Davis CB CBE, confirmed as next Black Rod.

The Naval Children’s Charity are delighted to announce that our Vice President, Lt General Ed Davis CB CBE, has been confirmed as the next Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, formally taking up the role this summer.

Ed is currently the Strategic Director for Capewell Europe Limited and Gibraltar Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

After serving for 35 years in the Naval Service as a Royal Marines Officer, Ed retired from the UK Armed Forces in the rank of Lieutenant General, he then transferred to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen as the 67th Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar in January 2016. He completed his tenure as Gibraltar’s Governor in 2020. 

Commenting on his new appointment as the next Black Rod, Ed Davis has said:

‘I am profoundly humbled and extremely delighted to have been appointed by His Majesty to be the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the House of Lords, a role that stretches back 670 years.

I take on this great honour with a deep sense of responsibility to serve the King and the House of Lords with a steadfast commitment and unwavering determination to uphold the excellence of my predecessors who have held this unique and remarkable position.

Together with Black Rod’s team, I look forward, with relish and excitement, to rising to the opportunities and challenges ahead by building on Sarah Clarke’s inspiring legacy.’

March Newsletter

I’d like to start this month’s newsletter with some fantastic news.

Royally great news: The Naval Children’s Charity are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal is to become our new Patron, following on from many years of Royal Patronage from her mother, Her Majesty The late Queen, who was our Patron for over 70 years.  As we celebrate our Bicentenary, 200 years of supporting Naval children, Patronage of The Princess Royal is of particular significance. 
Her Royal Highness has a long history of supporting military families and promoting the well-being of children. The Princess Royal’s Patronage of The Naval Children’s Charity will bring significant attention to the Charity’s vital work and help to ensure that children of Naval personnel receive the support they need to thrive.
On behalf of all at the Naval Children’s Charity we offer our warmest thanks to HRH for agreeing to become our Patron.  The Princess has shown great interest, over the years, into the wellbeing of our families and Her Royal Highness’s commitment to the Charities that she serves is outstanding.  We look forward to introducing The Princess Royal to our team and our children and young people so that they can tell their stories to Her Royal Highness directly.

Competition Time: Now, as you may have seen we have been running an exciting competition for our young people where we asked for talented young artists to craft a unique ‘200th birthday’ creation using one of our complimentary craft kits. It is fair to say that we were absolutely inundated with some truly wonderful creations.
A selection of young people from our Youth Council had the difficult task of judging the large volume of entries, and after much deliberation we are thrilled to announce that our two winning entries, that will each receive a £200 Merlin Voucher for first place, are Lavinia and Aldo Richmond in the 3 – 8 years category and Ruby Hewins in the 9 – 14 years category. Also winning some fantastic prizes in the runner up positions are Mylah-Rose, Quinn Beale, Imogen Goulbourn and Zac Kwok.

Next month is the Month of the Military Child: April is a month where we champion our amazing, resilient children and young people from Armed Forces families.  They can experience many challenges because they are from an Armed Forces family, and we are in awe of how brilliant they are. 
This April 2025, the MOTMC has a theme of ‘Memories’ – which could not be more appropriate for us here at the Naval Children’s Charity as we celebrate our bicentenary – 200 years of our own memories supporting our Naval children. 
To help us celebrate you and our bicentenary we would like you to share your memories – be as creative as you like: write something, turn it into a poem, draw it, paint it, sculpt it or just send us a photo of you and your Armed Forces family that is a memory you cherish.  With your permission we will share these on social media and our website as we celebrate throughout the month. 

25th April is Purple Up! Day: this is part of the Month of the Military Child and takes place to raise awareness of the unique challenges and resilience of children in military families. This would be a fantastic opportunity if you would like to show your support for us and maybe even join our #NCC200 Club by fundraising for us on the day. If you would like to participate, please wear purple clothing to show your support, you may also like to get your school/organisation involved, whilst fundraising for us. You can download our poster here for further information. Send your photos to: ncc@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk, use the hashtags #MotMC and #ncc200 on social media to share your activities and support, then donate here.

Best wishes,
Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity

The Naval Children’s Charity are delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has accepted the role of Patron

The Naval Children’s Charity are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal is to become our new Patron, following on from many years of Royal Patronage from her mother, Her Majesty The late Queen, who was our Patron for over 70 years.  As we celebrate our Bicentenary, 200 years of supporting Naval children, Patronage of The Princess Royal is of particular significance. 

Her Royal Highness has a long history of supporting military families and promoting the well-being of children. The Princess Royal’s Patronage of The Naval Children’s Charity will bring significant attention to the Charity’s vital work and help to ensure that children of Naval personnel receive the support they need to thrive.

CEO of The Naval Children’s Charity, Clare Scherer said:

On behalf of all at the Naval Children’s Charity we offer our warmest thanks to HRH for agreeing to become our Patron.  The Princess has shown great interest, over the years, into the wellbeing of our families and Her Royal Highness’s commitment to the Charities that she serves is outstanding.  We look forward to introducing The Princess Royal to our team and our children and young people so that they can tell their stories to Her Royal Highness directly.

The Naval Children’s Charity has been helping Naval children for 200 years, this includes serving personnel and veterans of the Naval Service (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves or Royal Fleet Auxiliary). The Princess Royal’s Patronage is a great endorsement of our work helping to make a lasting difference in our children and young people’s lives.

February Newsletter

Dates for your diaries...

As our thoughts turn to spring I’d like to highlight some poignant dates on the horizon.

On March 12th it is Young Carers Action Day and this year’s theme is “Give Me A Break”, focusing on the importance of rest and respite for young carers. Young carers carry a heavy burden of responsibility, leaving them with minimal time for themselves and placing them at a high risk of burnout. It is essential for them to take a break. Research shows that young carers are substantially more likely to experience severe psychological distress compared to their peers who do not have caregiving duties. They require time away from their caregiving roles to rest, rejuvenate, and prioritise their own needs, whether that involves pursuing a hobby or simply enjoying time with friends, just like others their age. If you know a young carer that could benefit from such respite, please do keep checking our ‘Life Chances’ page which will soon have a wide range of different opportunities available, to help our young carers enjoy the break they need in 2025.

And the support doesn’t end there for our Naval young carers, The Nexus Project aims to improve support, resources and access to services for young carers within Armed Forces families specifically. They recognise that issues can be exacerbated due to parent deployments, frequent house moves and living in secure military housing. The Nexus Project works with professionals from Armed Forces support services, young carers services, schools, the NHS, and others to drive change. For more information click here.

Now, imagine a week where we celebrate all the different ways people’s brains can work! That’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which will be celebrated from March 17th. This week aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. Keep your eyes on our website and social media channels to find out more.  If you have a neurodivergent child, then please do contact us to see how we can help you.  There is so much information out there it can be a bit overwhelming and talking it through with one of our team just might find something that can support you, your neurodivergent child and any other children in the family, particularly if you are also struggling with separation through deployment or weekending. We are just a phone call or email away 023 9263 9534 caseworkers@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

Our bicentenary celebrations are in full swing, and we can’t help but be reminded of our beginnings. We would be delighted to connect with anyone who, in the past, received support in one of our Children’s Homes. If you or a family member spent time with us, we invite you to reach out and share your experience.
If you were lucky enough to have received one of our free Craft Kits, please do get pictures of your ‘Birthday Creations’ into us ahead of the closing date on 14th March. The judging of this competition will be undertaken by members of our Youth Council, and already we don’t envy their job as we have had some incredible entries sent in. Remember, the design could be a birthday card, a collage representing an event from our history or even their own life as a Naval child. With a £200 Merlin voucher up for grabs for the 1st place, don’t miss your chance to win!

Is someone in your household considering University?
Thinking about university… whether or not to go, the financial implications, which course to study, and where – we know there’s a lot for families to consider and young people often have lots of questions. Which is why we’ve teamed up with The Brilliant Club!
Across June & July of this year, The Brilliant Club will be hosting 7 online sessions for Naval young people. Current students will be telling us what university & their subject areas are like, whilst higher education experts will be talking us through topics such as UCAS applications and academic skills.
To make the most of these sessions, we’d like to let them know about topics or questions that our young people would particularly like support with. So, if someone in your house is considering university, please take a minute to pop your thoughts and questions here.

Best wishes,

Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity

Living in Helensburgh – A guide for Young People

This leaflet was created in order to provide young people living in Helensburgh with a guide to their area. Suggestions for this content were gathered from pupils at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh’s Forces and Me Club and those who attended their Armed Forces Day event.

January Newsletter

Our January newsletter is a particularly special edition, filled with fantastic opportunities for both our young people and adults as well.

First and foremost, it is truly remarkable to reflect on the fact that The Naval Children’s Charity has been supporting the children of Naval personnel in various ways for 200 years. Throughout this time, the ways in which we have provided support have evolved, from the original orphanages to current charitable initiatives. Our core focus has always been to prioritise the wellbeing and development of children, either through financial grants or more holistic wraparound support. Originally the orphanages provided direct aid through housing and education, we then diversified into proudly supporting children across the UK, from those facing crises to those coping with the challenges of service life and those seeking opportunities to improve their life outcomes. If you wish to delve deeper into the history of our Charity, kindly click here.

To celebrate this incredible milestone, we have launched an exciting competition for our young people. We are searching for talented young artists to craft a unique ‘200th birthday’ creation using one of our complimentary craft kits. It could be a birthday card, a collage depicting an historical event or even their personal experiences as a Naval child. Exciting prizes are up for grabs, including a £200 Merlin Voucher for the first prize winner. The competition is divided into two age categories: 3 – 8 years and 9 – 14 years. Further information can be found here

As you may be aware, in light of the decision taken by the Government to apply VAT to school fees, Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with the Naval Children’s Charity, set up a hardship fund to provide financial support to those who fulfill the certain criteria. We have extended the deadline to apply for this financial support to January 31st. All necessary details for application can be found here.

With education at the forefront, SCiP Alliance has announced dates for the next three sessions of the FREE Thriving Lives Toolkit Webinars, aimed at offering valuable insights and practical advice for supporting Service children in schools. The first session, scheduled for Thursday, 30th January at 4 pm, will focus on supporting Service Children in Schools with Small Cohorts. Featuring Charmian Hickman, CEO of the Armed Forces Education Trust, and leaders from Cwmclydach Primary School, this session will discuss effective support strategies and available grant opportunities. For more information and to register, please follow this link.
 
In further exciting news, we are once again teaming up with the Tall Ships Youth Trust to provide young individuals aged 12-16 the chance to participate in a fully funded 5-day voyage aboard a 72ft Challenger Yacht. In addition to acquiring new life skills and connecting with other Naval young people, participants will have the opportunity to gain recognised RYA qualifications and can use this experience towards Duke of Edinburgh Awards – no prior sailing experience required! For more details and to apply, click here.


Best wishes,



Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity

High 5 – Galaxy Explorers Half Term Activity

High 5 Camps

Galaxy Explorers Half Term Activity, Plymouth

We are very pleased to be partnering with High 5 Sports Camps to offer our Naval families the opportunity to take part in their ‘Galaxy Explorers’ camp taking place in February half term.

Families can apply for anything from just the 1 day, to all 4!

Days run from 8.30am – 4.30pm, an option for extended days 8am – 6pm is also offered.

Dates & locations:

17th – 20th February 2025

China Fleet Country Club, Saltash, PL12 6LJ

Age range: 5 – 12

Cost: Partial to Full funding available, subject to means testing upon application

Please note: This offer is for day camps only & does not include any overnight accommodation. Children will also need to take their own packed lunches & snacks with them each day.

Register your interest:

https://forms.office.com/e/xfvPwNijGQ

Inspired by the wonders of space and popular galactic themes, we invite all children 5 – 12 to dive into a universe of fun and adventure.

Imagine your child stargazing like a guardian of the galaxy, building their very own space rocket, or crafting an entire solar system! Our full range of zero-gravity inflatables offer a unique, defy-gravity experience, while our themed activities, including Jedi training and alien blaster wars, promise endless excitement. They’ll even learn to moonwalk!

Sports enthusiasts can engage in intergalactic team sports like basketball, dodgeball, football, and tennis, all with a cosmic twist. Here at High 5 we’re dedicated to making this camp a ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for your child! experience.

December Newsletter

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and 2025

As we hurtle towards Christmas, the past few weeks have filled us with plenty of Christmas joy: V2 Radio, the local commercial station for Sussex, asked their listeners to take part in their annual toy appeal, and we were delighted to be the recipient of a huge pile of fabulous toys.  The generosity and Christmas spirit didn’t end there, as the Second Sea Lord’s command team decided to ditch their annual secret Santa and instead donate presents to us. As you can see from the pictures above, we received an incredible number of gifts that will make Christmas morning a little more special for some of our young people.

We need to let you know that our office will be closed over the Christmas period from midday on Monday 23rd December through to the Monday 6th January and the team is looking forward to some time off to recharge their batteries after an incredibly busy 2024.

We do appreciate that Christmas is not always an easy time for everyone and that many of you will be struggling at this time of year, for many different reasons. If you do experience difficulties during this period and need some help in an emergency please contact your local authority or the NHS on 111 or www.111.nhs.uk if you need support during this period. If you’re struggling with your mental health, reach out to The Samaritans either through their website or their 24/7 helpline 116 123 (freephone). Mind’s website has some brilliant resources for managing your wellbeing.

Looking forward into the New Year, 2025 is a very special year for us here at The Naval Children’s Charity, as we will be celebrating out Bicentenary: 200 years of supporting Naval children and young people. We would love to have your support during the year in helping us celebrate – is there something that you can do to help us mark such an important milestone? We would love to hear from you and for you to share your love of The Naval Children’s Charity by holding an event of your choice. Why not hold a fundraiser and in return be inducted into the NCC Club 200 Hall of Fame? Whether it is a bake sale, a fancy-dress competition at work or a community event, you just need to let us know and we will help promote it across our website and social media platforms. Contact us for one of our Fundraising Packs. Keep an eye out on our Socials to find out how you can get involved.  #NCC200

Finally, I would like to end the year by thanking all of you who have supported us in so many ways in 2024.  From our wonderful Major Funders – the RNRMC, Greenwich Hospital, The Seafarers Charity, and Trinity House to the many other Trusts and Foundations and individuals who have donated their time and money, helping us to help our beneficiaries.  We would particularly like to thank Sirius Analysis Ltd for their ongoing support. We thank you all. 

And to our wonderful children and young people, some of whom have really helped us to understand their lives and challenges this year. We welcome our new Youth Council who have spent some considerable time this year working with us on a project to develop an exciting new range of opportunities, our lovely Young Ambassadors, our President, Vice President and Patrons and our Trustees who dedicate so much of their time to us. And to my amazing team of staff who have worked so hard this year – you are all brilliant.
On behalf of everyone at the Naval Children’s Charity, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes,



Clare Scherer MBE
Chief Executive Officer, Naval Children’s Charity