Latest news with #supportfamilies
The Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Malema vows to build houses for families of KZN bus crash victims
EFF leader Julius Malema has committed to building houses and boreholes for the families of 10 party members who died in a bus crash last week while returning from a Youth Day rally in Durban. Malema addressed the mass funeral service in Vryheid on Sunday. 'We are going to honour these 10 fallen heroes, each one of them with a house that has all the facilities,' he said. 'If there's no water in those yards, we'll make sure we put [in] boreholes so we restore the dignity of those families. We will build those houses and put [in] those boreholes because we want to build a permanent relationship with these families. We don't want to forget you and don't forget us.' He assured the families they are not alone. 'Your loss is our loss. Your tears are our tears. Your children are not forgotten. The EFF will walk with you, we will support you and we will continue to fight in their name. 'As the EFF, we say their death must not be in vain. Their passing must become a turning point. We must honour them not only with flowers and words but with action. We must fix our roads, regulate the transport industry and demand accountability.' The accident happened on June 17 when the group was returning from the rally. A bus carrying EFF supporters collided with a truck on the R34 near Vryheid. Malema described the members who died as 'soldiers', drawing a parallel to the youth of 1976 who died for freedom. 'These are not just names in headlines or numbers in a report. These were young people who had dreams. They were full of life, full of promise and full of courage that defines the children of working-class and oppressed families. They died while in pursuit of life. They were travelling with hope in their hearts, but the journey that should've taken them towards opportunity ended in tragedy.' He said their parents should be proud that their children did not die from drug or alcohol abuse but on the 'battlefield'. 'Your children are soldiers; they are martyrs and the names of your children will be called when the names of the martyrs are called. Be proud that your children have inspired many generations to come.' TimesLIVE
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Kate breaks silence after pulling out of Ascot to share poignant message about kids with ‘serious health conditions'
PRINCESS Kate has spoken out in celebration of the "life-changing work" of children's hospice staff. The Princess of Wales, 43, pulled out of her only appearance at Royal Ascot on Wednesday as aides balance her return to full time duty after her cancer diagnosis. 6 6 But she returned to work writing a personal message to mark the end of Children's Hospice Week. Kate is Royal Patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH), and in January this year became the Royal Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales. In a letter shared in social media she wrote: "No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life. "Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heart-broken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated. "Being able to access the support of one of the UK's 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone. "As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices. "Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond. "This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times." 6 6 This comes after Kate pulled out of her Royal Ascot appearance last Wednesday. She was listed as arriving in the carriage procession with Prince William, however, moments later, the palace revealed that the mother-of-three had to drop out last minute to continue with her recovery. It is understood that Kate was "disappointed" not to go but has "to find the right balance" on returning to full time duty. Since announcing in January she is in remission, the princess has been gradually returning to public duties. Recent days have seen her attend Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter, as well as making a visit to V&A East Storehouse last week. However, it is understood that Kate is trying to find the balance as she fully returns to public-facing engagements that have featured an element of flexibility since her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. Prince William was spotted putting on a brave face in his wife's absence, as he drank beer and joked with fellow royals. He was seen greeting others in the grandstand and cheering on horses and jockeys during a sunny day two of racing. Other royals in attendance at this year's Ascot include King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were spotted cheering on from the Royal Box, and Sarah Ferguson, alongside her daughter Princess Beatrice. The national Children's Hospice Week is led by children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives and the event is dedicated to raising awareness of children's hospice services. Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, said about Kate: "Her ongoing support for Children's Hospice Week over many years has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children's hospices do, every day of the year. "Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that's for years, months or only hours." 6 6
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Project offers 'extended family' to Plymouth foster carers
A project offering support for foster families has been described as being like an "extended family".Foster for Plymouth, a service run by the city council, said its mockingbird programme provided families with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of parent and project leader Lydia Oliver said she had been fostering for 14 years and met up with other foster carers regularly to allow them to get to know and trust one said fostering was rewarding but also hard work. "I think to have someone else come alongside you on that journey is just amazing," said Ms Oliver."I have good friends and support who have loved us through that, which is why we have been able to do it for 14 years; and to be able to offer that to someone else is a real privilege and honour."Duncan and Joe Sargent, who have been fostering for 23 years, have also signed up to be leaders in the project. Mr Sargent said: "It has grown into our extended family. "We are there to support, not only the children, but the foster carers as well who can often struggle and find themselves on their own."The project was launched last year and, one year on, it has been extended and now involves 20 families. Jemima Laing, council cabinet member for children's services, said: "The success of the first mockingbird constellation has been astounding."It's clear that it has had real benefits for both our foster carers and our children and young people."I'm delighted that we're launching our second constellation so that even more of our fostering families can benefit from being part of a tight-knit community."Foster for Plymouth said only local authority foster carers could benefit from the programme and, to be a foster carer, people must be over the age of 21, have a spare room and be genuinely interested in the welfare of children and young people.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New training helping spot signs of poverty in Jersey families
A Jersey charity has been training people to recognise the signs of families experiencing financial hardship and how to support Jersey Child Care Trust said nearly a quarter of the island's children lived in relative poverty - meaning their family's income was at least 60% under the Vacher from the trust said it was important all people in Jersey who worked with children and families could spot the signs of said: "80% of your brain develops by the age of three-years-old - we want to make sure that you're having the best experience you can in your earliest years because we know that creates the happy, healthy adult." 'A little easier' The trust ran the free session - called 'Poverty Aware Practice' in St Helier on Vacher said the trust wanted to make sure every professional in Jersey who had day-to-day contact with families had the relevant skills and was able to "make life a little easier" for said it was important the training was focused on the workforce."We wanted to make sure that the training we're offering is focused on the workforce, because they're the ones that make the biggest difference."But alongside that, we need to create and provide resources."
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Princess Kate's 'life's work' project for young children hits major milestone
The Princess of Wales ' 'business taskforce' working to better the lives of young children is said to have reached 500,000 youngsters in the last year. Firms from Deloitte to LEGO have taken part, investing in schemes including funding training for 1,300 'early years' teachers to raising parent leave after birth for all parents to 26 weeks full pay. Catherine's Royal Foundation-led initiative is one of the major corner stones of her public work and something she has taken a key interest in, even through her cancer treatment last year. It is based on widespread research which shows that what happens to children between the ages of birth to five is not only formative but can have huge effect on their behaviour and emotions as adults, even leading to anti-social behaviour and addiction. Eight major firms have joined the taskforce, which was launched in 2023, to 'support families and create a happier, healthier society'. One year on from their first major report, which set out why businesses should invest in early childhood, it has been revealed that the effect has already been 'varied and vast'. The LEGO Group has donated Build Me 'Emotions' sets to early years providers across every corner of the UK, while Co-op has created a dedicated early childhood fund and already supported more than 130 early years apprentices. In November 2023 she met Grayson Stevenson (centre), 5, and his dad, Mark Stevenson (left), during a visit to 'Dadvengers', a community for dads and their children, in Arnos Grove, north London, as part of her Shaping Us campaign on early childhood Meanwhile IKEA has partnered with local baby banks to donate essentials and launched a product range raising money for the Baby Bank Alliance. NatWest has increased its lending capacity for early years settings and produced tools to support nurseries to operate in a more sustainable way, with a target of £250 million. Financial services giant Deloitte has funded more than 1300 early years teachers to undertake crucial qualifications and changed its parental policies to give all parents 26 weeks full pay. Iceland helped 30,000 staff better support young families and launched a range of toddler meals with Mumsnet, which raise money for Alder Hey Hospital and aim to support healthy eating. The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children. The princess' Centre for Early Years at Kensington Palace say these projects combined have a potential reach of more than half a million babies and young children. Above, Catherine during a visit toa children's hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff Sir Ron Kalifa, Chair of the Taskforce, said: 'Businesses of every shape and size – from high-street shops to global enterprises – hold unique and powerful touchpoints: as employers, as providers of goods and services, and as pillars of the communities they proudly serve. These roles aren't just business functions – they're incredible platforms for meaningful action. 'At The Royal Foundation, we are deeply proud that over the past year, members of our taskforce have shown such strong leadership and risen to this challenge. Their efforts have made a real, tangible difference in the lives of countless families with young children. 'And this is only the beginning of what's possible. The road ahead is bursting with potential.' Catherine has long made clear that the initiative is a 'lifelong' commitment for her and has previously explained that the years up to the age of five are the 'building blocks for life'.
