We are truly a family at Addeys. We care and look after each other no matter where we are. Now, as much as ever.
As we know, the ongoing global pandemic continues to hit all of us hard. We know, firsthand that many of our children and families are continuing to face financial hardship. They need our support to ensure equitable access to their education. They need access to technology, they need to be warm and comfortable, and they need nutritious food.
Your generosity in our last appeal was extraordinarily moving. Between June and September it enabled the school to fund laptops for 30 students; provide small grants to over 20 families; and support with food, toys and uniform to around 50 families. It also enabled us to offer professional counselling and support to those most vulnerable and suffering profound affects to their mental health. In addition, our amazing Addey’s team made over 600 visits to more than 200 students and families to offer support, signposting and care to give our students the best chance of maintaining their education, wellbeing and ultimately future life chances and prospects. We are forever grateful for this.
We’d like to report that these struggles are over, but despite the government initiatives to provide some resources to disadvantaged students, this has not reached the majority in need. Many of our families continue to struggle through loss of income and jobs. Our students still face many struggles and barriers with their education due to inadequate access and tech for home study; a comfortable learning environment and inevitably more stressful environments where families are struggling to get food on the table and bills paid. We know that happier families support better learning which supports better prospects for those disadvantaged.
With your help, we plan to fund student family’s essential supplies, food, winter clothing and bills. We recognise the importance of providing a regular daily breakfast provision for our students, and this funding will enable us to subsidise and achieve our goal to provide bagels and fruit to students daily. We still have around 50 students without adequate access to technology in the home. Addey and Stanhope will continue to do as much as we can to ensure that our students' learning is not impacted by this crisis. Learning is vital for productive and happy futures. With your support we have been filling the gaps as much as possible, but we need to do more to be able to continue to do so.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and kindness in these unprecedented times and for supporting our Addey’s family.