Building futures – one Step at a time
“History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.”
This quote from Nelson Mandela encapsulates an opinion and a vision that Stars and Sparkles Foundation has been built upon. We believe that now is the time to stand up, to make a difference in the everyday lives of children and acknowledge that if we do not do this now the impact on those children’s future adult lives will be immeasurable.
This brand-new blog is a chance for us to share our passion and dedication for our community and also an opportunity to discuss the issues that children in Peterborough and the UK are facing today.
While the Foundation’s core objective can be stated simply as“providing community-based support for families, creating best opportunities for children,” there is nothing simple in this vision. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the stark reality of life in poverty for many families with young children, poverty itself is not new to our community. A study by the SMF (Social Market Foundation) published in December 2020 reported that 19.5% of children in Peterborough are living in food poverty, while the End Child Poverty Coalition reported that 36.8% of children under the age of 16 live in families with low incomes. Having lived and worked in Peterborough for many years the Foundations Directors recognize and understand the issues facing the community, but more importantly, they want to help.
Our focus is on four key areas:
Bridging Gaps
Alleviating Poverty
Developing Cultural Capital
Not-for-profit Childcare
The Foundation is dedicated to taking small steps that create a big difference to families with young children in Peterborough and more widely across the UK.
Over the next few months, we will delve deeper into these key areas and share our vision, please join us, and help make a difference today.
J M Hamey
Project Manager Stars and Sparkles Foundation
References
End Child Poverty Coalition report in Peterborough Today - 26/10/2020 https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/lifestyle/peterborough-sees-one-biggest-rises-child-poverty-east-england-3014613
Social Market Fund – “Measuring and Mitigating Child Hunger in the UK today” - 9/12/2020 https://www.smf.co.uk/publications/measuring-child-hunger/