An Update from the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children
In a year dominated by worrying headlines and the evolving impact of the pandemic, there have also been stories of kindness.
Published: 11 Dec 2020
Throughout the country, individuals and groups have reached out to connect and offer help and support to those in need. This is the spirit which for 15 years has driven The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children and which continues to inspire and unite us, despite the challenging circumstances.
At the beginning of the year, we were able to open three Bright Spaces two with Hampshire police and one at the Whittington Hospital. We continue to plan for new Bright Spaces to open in 2021 and will keep you updated.
Sadly, we had for obvious reasons to abandon our planned series of walks to celebrate our 15th Anniversary. We know that this was very disappointing for many of you, but we hope to hold these another time, when it is appropriate and safe to do so.
Similarly, there was no opportunity for in-person volunteering at Bright Spaces this year – however we have been able to show our support and provide some much-needed resources to many of our Bright Space partners. For example, we sent puzzles and games to West Yorkshire police for their child-interview room; homework resources and Christmas decoration kits to two children’s homes in Lancashire; and stress toys, family games and puzzles to domestic abuse refuges in Surrey and London.
As you will appreciate, the restrictions arising from the pandemic have had an additional impact on those experiencing domestic violence, putting a huge demand on the work of our partners at Refuge. And for the police force units investigating child abuse, the caseloads continue to increase year on year.
We know that this year has been exceptionally difficult for everyone, and that we have all experienced multiple demands on our time and our finances. We are so grateful to you for the money you raise, whether through your payroll giving or through shopping via Amazon Smile, which means we are able to continue to provide support for the vital work of our Foundation partners and our 85 Bright Spaces.
So thank you for all that you have done for our Foundation throughout the time you have been part of our Bright Horizons family: your support means so much to children and families in need, and together we can continue to make a difference.
