Virtual College’s Safeguarding Children e-Academy supports Summer School for children with Cerebral Palsy with a £2000 donation
Virtual College’s Safeguarding Children e-Academy marked their attendance at the recent 8th British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Congress in Belfast, by supporting The Lighthouse Trust Summer School for sufferers of cerebral palsy with a donation of £2000.
Based in Donaghadee, Co. Down, the Lighthouse Trust is a small charitable organisation, which, since 1997 has organised an eight week Summer School providing conductive education for children with cerebral palsy. The Trust receives no state funding so the Trustees aim to make the summer school as accessible as possible by subsidising the fees.
Safeguarding Children e-Academy’s donation will greatly assist many of the parents of the children who cannot fundraise for themselves, as caring for their child with disabilities, along with other family commitments, means that they have little or no spare time or energy.
“Because of the generosity of benefactors, like Virtual College, it will be possible to reduce the net cost to parents this year.” Joan Bruton of The Lighthouse Trust Summer School.
The summer school, held every July and August during the school holidays, aims to foster mobility and social skills, such as washing, feeding and dressing. Games and activities reflect this; singing to improve breathing and memory; puzzles develop concentration and hand function; outings provide occasions for decision making and social interaction. The children are encouraged to participate in decision making as regards outings and activities, this is important as very often decisions are made for them. Each child participates in every activity in the way most suited to them.
“We’re really pleased to be able to support a charity that is not only dedicated to improving the life of children with cerebral palsy, but that also involves them in deciding how the summer school is run.” Abby Dacres, Health and Social Care Manager, Virtual College.
About the Safeguarding Children e-Academy
The Safeguarding Children e-Academy, a division of Virtual College, is a member led community enhancing the learning process for those individuals and organisations who work with children. The Academy donates 5% of its turnover to children’s charities. If you would like to know more about the Safeguarding Children’s e-Academy please visit www.safeguardingchildrenea.co.uk