Sarah recently supported the reunification of two families and for each family she left our warehouse with her car full to the brim, eager to see their reactions.

Family 1: A fresh start at school

One family, whose Mum had been so worried about the cost of school uniform she wasn’t sure how she was going to manage. Her worries were increased by the length of time she was having to wait for her Child Benefit and Universal Credit to start coming through. Realising that her children (aged 5 and 7) are at such an important age in their school life, starting at their new school needed to be a positive experience. Having lived in foster care and different placements most of their lives, there had been so much instability that she really wanted to get this right!

She desperately wanted them to look nice and fit in, and to show them that Mum was able to provide them with the items they needed. Although she could have searched charity shops, finding quality items in good condition, of the right size, can be difficult. An alternative could have been to approach the school for help but she was worried this would look like she wasn’t coping, especially since she’d only just got her children back. Sarah told us how this is a common misconception of the families she works with:

“They’ve worked and fought so hard to get their children back, they think asking for help is a sign of failure. In fact, I’ve noticed that parents under these circumstances are less likely to ask for help than others. But because I’ve worked with Stripey Stork many times, I’m able to reassure them that this is a positive thing. Everyone needs a helping hand now and again, and knowing when to ask is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

Despite initial hesitations, Mum was overwhelmed with gratitude upon receiving brand new school shoes (thanks to Sal’s Shoes), nearly new coats for both children, filled school bags and all the non-branded uniform for a full school week. Particularly touching was the gift of a grey pinafore dress, which quickly became a cherished possession for her 7-year-old daughter. She loved it so much, only having worn skirts for school before, that Mum had to keep washing it every evening. Once we heard, we were quick to send her some more to take that added pressure away from Mum.

At the end of each school day, she exchanges her pinafore dress for her next new favourite item; a brand new hooded blanket. It was the first thing she tried on when Sarah arrived and what she was wearing when Sarah left:

“She absolutely loves it. It was spot on to her taste and the softest material I’ve ever felt. She kept holding it against her cheek.”

Being able to gift this hooded blanket highlights the significance of seemingly small gestures in rebuilding a sense of normality and comfort. We’d like to thank the Household Support Fund for enabling us to buy these blankets in bulk, as well as other winter essentials like beds, blankets and warm clothes.

Her 5-year-old brother, eager to embrace learning, delved straight into the story books we included. It was nice to hear the reading level was pitched just right and when Sarah left, he and Mum were reading together.

Sarah has reassured the family that Stripey Stork would continue to support them as their needs evolve; when the children outgrow their uniform or are ready for the next reading level.

For Mum, this was going to be the first Mother’s Day she was going to feel like a proper Mum. With the children being young and this being a new tradition for them, we included one of our A Gift For Mum pampering packs which they could give her on the day. Included in the pack was a special message on a card handwritten by one of our volunteers, with some words of encouragement that she’s doing a great job.

Family 2: Creating a home environment

Another family being supported, are two daughters (aged 3 and 6) now living with Dad for the first time. They’ve been in foster care for the last two years as unfortunately they were not able to live with Mum. During this time, Dad has been working hard to get things in order to create a stable home environment for his girls, and Sarah couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come.

Dad has given up his bedroom, happy to be sleeping in the lounge so the girls can have their own space. He’s decorated their new room beautifully, but it was missing new bedding. They now have bedding fit for two princesses, in keeping with the décor they so love. We know a nice duvet cover and pillowcase can make such a difference to a bedroom, but for a child, it can mean everything. Even the small things like the new toothbrushes we provided for everyone can make a big difference. As Sarah explained:

“It’s what it represents; we are home and are here to stay!”

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Sara wanted to conclude by expressing her gratitude:

“The families I support are genuinely shocked by what I’m able to help them with and how lovely the items are. They’ve worked so hard to make so many positive changes, that for me to be able to help them at the last hurdle in this practical way feels like the most amazing reward for them.”

The post Supporting family reunification appeared first on Stripey Stork.

We were recently contacted by a repeat referral partner who needed specific items and needed them quickly – she knew we’d be able to help!

A 15 year old girl had been placed under her care, being detained under the Mental Health Act. When we were told her story, it was no surprise as to why she was in desperate need of psychiatric care. Up until now, her life has been a catalogue of neglect, which tragically included domestic and sexual abuse. After such a bad start in life, everyone whose care she is now under is desperately trying to bring her back to the person she should be.

When she arrived at her current location, she’d been living in extreme poverty and only possessed the clothes she was wearing. A package was quickly put together by our volunteers, which consisted of a week’s worth of clothes, toiletries, age appropriate books and craft items. One specific request from herself was a ‘comfort blanket’, so she could snuggle up to it and it would sooth her throughout the night.

Thanks to the gifts in kind we’ve been receiving from The All In One Company, we had the softest blanket already in stock and ready to go. We also thought she’d love one of their fun onesies, so included one to keep her warm this winter.

Her care worker reported back to us the girl’s excitement on receiving the bundle: “She immediately wrapped herself up in the blanket and this has continued to bring her joy.”

Due to the immediate care which she currently needs, she has no family or friends living near her right now. These gifts have brought her comfort and the reassurance that there are people out there, people she’ll never meet, who genuinely care and have her best interests at heart.

We exist to bridge the gap between what children and families need, and what is accessible to them. The referral partners we work so closely with are over-stretched – they don’t have the resources or funding needed to meet these specific requests, but thankfully we do! All made possible because of the amazing support we receive.

Being Stripey Stork, we couldn’t let this story end there. With Christmas fast approaching and Santa Stork being in full swing, she has of course been added to our Christmas list. A personal gift for her has been included amongst the other requests we’ve received for all the children so far.

This year we expect to distribute 2000 gifts to local children in need, just like this young lady. Children who would otherwise have nothing to celebrate or be thankful for this Christmas. Where possible, we like to include a main gift which the child has specifically requested.

Let’s see what Santa brings, but with Team Stork on the case, we’ll be trying our hardest to make her, and all of the other children’s wishes come true. And so they should! If we can add a little sunshine this Christmas to these already broken lives, then we’ve done what we set out to achieve.

There are many ways to support Santa Stork 2019:

• Buy a specific gift from our Amazon wish list
• Donate to our online Santa Stork appeal
• Buy from our suggested list of popular gift items, for more details see the dedicated Santa Stork page

Thank you for making Christmas!

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“I went to visit with him last week and he showed me his room. He has nothing in it except for a little rucksack which he packs a few clothes in for his stay each week.”

This came from a request we received from a Social Worker we work with regularly. She was supporting a 10-year-old-boy from a family with a history of domestic abuse and chronic neglect. The boy is at a boarding school and loves it there. It’s calmer, he gets more rest and he is flourishing.

But he had so little in his room. Nothing to show who he is and what he is interested in, and it’s not a room to proudly let friends come and hang out.

We set to work. This case had an impact on us so we found out a little more about this boy. Thanks to our amazing supporters we quickly gathered clothes, toys, books, toiletries, Lego, a new desk lamp and bedding for his room and we even supplied a reconditioned iPad mini. The son of one of our trustees – a boy of the same age – found posters and trading cards from his own collection which featured this boy’s favourite football team and asked for them to be passed on.

Genuine kindness in action.

We caught up with the Social Worker afterwards who was able to give us an update.

“He was so thrilled with all the things he received and his bedroom at boarding school is now looking very homely.

His response when he saw the iPad was lovely but the thing that won him over the most was ‘his very own dressing gown!’ He told me that he had never had one before and that he was looking forward to having a shower that night and wearing it from the bathroom to his bedroom!

I have seen him several times since passing on the items and he is making good use of everything.”

Something so simple as a dressing gown having such an impact. Imagine.

Thank you for trusting us to find the right home for your donations #TeamStork. Operating the way we do we’re able to direct the right items to the right places, and we ensure that it’s almost always more than just the essentials.

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