...Really Changing Lives

Transcription

1 ...Really Changing Lives

2 About Newlife Disabled, terminally ill and life-limited children and their families have been at the heart of the charity since Since that time we have become, through our work, the specialists for special children. Their needs and the needs of their families and carers, their health and their voices, are all central to the work of Newlife. Regardless of the condition, on a daily basis Newlife can now potentially care for all disabled and terminally ill children across the UK. Newlife raises funds in a variety of ways and is known for its innovation, not only in its services, but in its fundraising. Newlife actually generates much of the funds needed by operating a successful recycling company, which offers environmentally sound services to major retailers, manufacturers and brand holders from across the High Streets of the UK and increasingly in Europe. All profits from this recycling company are donated to Newlife. This service is good for the corporate stock donors and great for the environment. The skills we develop, in running a successful business, often inform the effective ways the charity goes about running and developing its services and its trusted operations. Newlife s 100% Guarantee Everyone supports charities, but do you really know where the money goes? Newlife offers donors the opportunity to decide how 100 per cent of their gifts can be used, through our restricted giving funds. You may want to help a child in a particular way, help a child in your own county, fund a Newlife Nurse or support Medical Research. However you want to help, Newlife will honour your giving and guarantee that not a penny is spent on anything else. You decide how you want to help and we will give you feedback on how your gift has made a real difference.

3 Why Newlife is needed Every day across the UK, more babies, children and young people become disabled or are diagnosed as being life-limited or terminally ill. These conditions know no boundaries of wealth, race or culture. They affect ordinary families in villages, towns and cities across the UK - every single day. Inborn conditions As many as 1 in 16 babies will be affected by a significant syndrome, disability or malformation from birth. Cancers Every day ten children are diagnosed with cancers of all kinds. Whether it s the cancer itself or the treatment to overcome it, these conditions can cause long term challenges. Infections From the common to the rare, conditions such as meningitis can damage limbs and affect abilities such as communication or learning. Accidents & injuries Every year, accidents and injuries happen on our roads or at play. Head injuries and loss of ability are common in acute trauma. Acquired conditions Every day children are diagnosed with diseases and disorders. Disability can result, and affect any part of a child s life, health and ability. Prematurity As many as 10 per cent of babies are born prematurely. Many of these babies would have died in the past. They now survive, but many face long term challenges to their health and ability.

4 What Newlife does: Four key national activities Care Services Skilled help is just one call away It takes just one call or to a Newlife Nurse for families to get the care, support and action they need to help their child. Whatever the query, our experienced and dedicated Nurses will listen to the situation and deliver tailored help. They will use their clinical skills, community experience and vast knowledge, gained from helping thousands of children and families. Whether it s information, a referral or a chat to help families cope, our Nurses listen, understand and care. Many families face daily challenges, so having a dedicated Nurse to rely on gives immeasurable support. Equipment Services Practical help for real families In 2004 Newlife Nurses started to hear from families about their desperate need for vital care equipment. Equipment can help overcome functional loss of limb use, enable children to overcome disability, relieve pain, help stop conditions worsening, keep children safe and help them communicate and learn. Equipment also plays a major part in their daily care and can revolutionise a child s life. We heard real families problems and responded by developing the Newlife Equipment Services. Newlife s Equipment Grant Service Newlife Nurses can either purchase equipment or loan the item, according to need. This includes pain relieving beds, wheelchairs, communication and other aids. Newlife s Just Can t Wait Loan Service provides loan equipment to terminally ill and lifelimited children nationwide in 72 hours. Newlife s Play Therapy Pods Loan Service provides a range of loan items to help children learn through play. All Newlife services are free. There are many ways to help. For fundraising information, visit our website or call us on

5 What Newlife does: Four key national activities Medical Research Action and hope to improve child health Newlife Medical Research has been successful in many areas, including improving diagnosis, understanding fetal development, basic and clinical science related to conditions, finding genes and aiding treatment and care. Newlife has funded over 220 research projects at over 50 leading institutions around the UK, funding around 16 million of research. Every day, Newlife researchers are working to give hope to improve child health. Campaigns & Awareness The voice of families and children Many parents feel they have to battle to get the help they need and that they are very much alone. We listen to them and take these messages to policy makers through our campaigning and awareness activities. This means families have a voice on important issues, to help overcome isolation and find improvements in many areas of concern. As a leading charity we are often consulted by Government on major issues around healthcare, services and policy. Newlife also liaises with local authorities and local health care providers to ensure their policies regarding provision are fair and reasonable. Our excellent relationships with leading professional bodies helps us to raise awareness about the needs of the children and families we serve, nationally and locally. The Newlife Birth Defects Centre is the only such centre in Europe.

6 What you can do today Together - we can change things... Join us and together we will make sure more children and families can face the challenges and get the real help they need. We can give families hope through our research and we can work together to make changes on a local and national front, to get a better deal. So help us make a better tomorrow, because you would want Newlife to be there to support you, if it was your child. Individuals - run an event, take on a challenge or take part in an appeal. Help change a life and we will support you. Groups - from children s uniformed brigades to knitting groups, informal or formal, all can help. Clubs - tell members about Newife and consider adopting or supporting our cause. Companies - whether it s marketing, part of your CSR policy or staff charity of the year adoption - let s work together. Schools - part of your curriculum, or fun events, Newlife presents local opportunities and co-operation. Universities - having fun in a rag week or holding special sales - students can enjoy and feel fulfilled. Families - consider an in memoriam donation in lieu of flowers or making a legacy gift - to make a better tomorrow. Ambassadors - people who volunteer and are dedicated to help Newlife having influence in their field or area. Ask for our Fundrasing Ideas information sheets.

7 It s not what I CAN T do that matters, give me the right equipment and I will show you what I CAN do! 2012 Paralympian - Sinclair Thomas. It doesn t have to be this way Newlife has a proven history of success This success is in medical research, professional innovation, caring service provision, campaigning and much more. Children become disabled every day of the year, we have to be there to help them. We receive no government funding. As an independent charity, if we don t earn it, or our supporters don t give it or fundraise for it, we don t have the funds to reach out into the lives of disabled children. We simply could not serve disabled and terminally ill children without our supporters help. Our supporters are secure in the knowledge that the interests of the child are first in everything Newlife does. We will honour their activities and gifts and show supporters how they have helped us to help children, all over the UK. The Possibilities... Childhood disability can affect any family, any child. Today, children who face conditions can be included in all aspects of society - from education and training, through to high level sporting achievement, as seen in the 2012 Paralympics. Today, we understand more about how to maximise potential in children with particular conditions. In addition, fantastic equipment has been invented to help overcome problems with mobility, communications and much more. We have moved on, but those who have achieved will tell you that it is a fight, every step of the way, to get equipment. Whether it s sport, training, access to work or engagement in a full community involved life, it s all possible. This is the vision we would want, if it was our child or grandchild that was affected. So we must focus not on what the child cannot do, its what they can do, that matters.

8 The number of disabled children is growing... How many disabled children are in the UK? No-one really knows! That s because understanding the issues, needs and provision of services to disabled children has often been a Cinderella service. In the past, the death rate among children facing these conditions or life incidents was high. Thanks to medical research, many more children now survive. However, many babies and children who survive today, do so to face disability life-limiting conditions or terminal illness. Simply put, more children need Newlife. Freephone: info@newlifecharity.co.uk Jemil - I love you Dad. Jemil, who has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, uses a powered wheelchair. Jemil has no speech and is only able to talk with the help of a specialist aid. He had access to this aid at primary school, but while at home and when he moved to secondary school, he could not communicate at all. Newlife provided the communication aid needed, costing 5,580. Shortly after he had received his equipment, Jemil said for the first time, I love you Dad. This clearly had an impact on his father; I will always remember those three words - I love you - it s just fantastic... this has given him his voice. Please help a child like Jemil today. Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, Newlife Centre, Hemlock Way, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 7GF facebook.com/newlifefoundation twitter.com/@newlifecharity youtube.com/newlifefoundation Registered Charity Number: in England & Wales. Newlife Trading Ltd. Company Registration Number: Designed and Produced by The Detective Agency Ltd. Tel: