Joyful - and hopeful! - June!

I think there would be very few of us that haven't felt the affects of the last two plus years, in our personal and business lives. And, with things the way they are socially, there's a lot of us struggling financially, again in both our personal and business lives.

And that's why I am running another Crowdfunding campaign.

Grants

Grants are always hard to get but, with so many challenges in recent years, from support for our amazing NHS to the increase in demand for foodbanks, which are incredibly worthy causes, it has been even harder for us smaller community projects lately. My CIC has been hanging on by the skin of my teeth (potters off to Google where that saying comes from...Oh! It's a biblical reference! Anyway!) but I knew had to survive this period because I knew that what I do would be even more needed after two years of us all scrutinizing ourselves in tiny Zoom boxes, and with children and young people missing out on important peer support, mental health issues were bound to increase.

Sadly, I was right. For some children and young people, there is an almost two year waiting list for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Confidence and self-esteem has plummeted in our young people. I can help!

But, as I said, things are tough.

Good news and not so good news.

There is good news, however! I recently applied for a grant from our new County Council. I applied for some money to promote VieNess Discover You Love You CIC in this new area I'm in and to do some workshops in  ten schools, free to the schools.  And they said yes! To half of the money :-( and I will only receive it when I have matched it. It's a big carrot to dangle. If this target isn't met, I don't get the grant, either.

I have spent the last weeks applying for grants, contacting businesses that have community funds, to see if they could match it, but, so far, there has been no news, and time is of the essence. And, like all of the other pots of money, they are in high demand.

Happy Birthday!

I have deliberated over this, questioning running a campaign, wondering if people would support it, and then I remembered that June is a big month for the CIC. We turn 3!! With so many businesses not surviving the pandemic, especially social enterprises, I'm really pleased to still be here. 

Most days I get told that what I am doing is really needed; people say that their children, their nieces and nephews, could benefit from my workshops; they say that they wish they had me go into their school when they were there to help them feel good. It's always wonderful to have my work, my passion, validated.

But, as much as I wish I didn't have to worry about money, I do.

And I need money to be able to continue with the CIC.

Support

So, if ever you have thought, what Vie does is much needed, or Vie is great, or I would like to support good work in my community, please do support this campaign. If this campaign is successful, and I get the money from the council, it will mean more schools will know about the work I do and then book me for paid days in the future.

Your support is very much needed and appreciated.

Rewards

For the rewards, I won't be sending out things, but I will explain what your money will pay for. On an average day in a school, I will do four or five lessons, of between 15 and 30 children and young people, which is between 60 and 150 people, plus teachers and teaching staff (I always encourage them to join in), but, for ease with the numbers, I will set everything on 100 students a day. One day in a school costs £280; that works out at £2.80 a student. That's £2.80 for a young person to be given tools to help them feel good now, and to use for as long as they want to, as well as helping others along the way. I think that's a bargain; I really hope you agree.

Oh! The £3333 is just because we are 3! It feels like a good number to aim for that's very close to the required target.

Thank you.

Vie xx