Charities

Cherry Trees is a small Surrey based charity, providing home from home specialist short breaks for children and young people aged 0-19 with a range of disabilities including learning, physical and sensory impairments. We provide high quality services within a relaxed, caring environment. Cherry Trees fulfills a critical service in addressing the needs of the children and parents it supports and is a lifeline for the families of more than 100 children and young people who are regularly cared for here. We recognise that children are best looked after at home, however because of the complex needs of many of our children, they require very specialist care. Cherry Trees provides professional care in a safe loving environment, where every child is valued for who they are and also provides a welcome break for their families. Cherry Trees aims to be a model of excellence in respite care/short breaks for children and young adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities. We are dedicated to providing high quality respite care to children in a relaxed and caring setting Cherry Trees aims to grow from strength to strength in terms of the service it provides and is committed to increasing its capacity and range of services and facilities offered. As the pressure on our parents is increasing, we see it as part of our strategic remit to not only provide respite care but also to provide advice and support on broader issues. Our objectives are to reach out to as many families as possible, to help prevent family breakdown, enable young people to progress and for families to be fully integrated in the local community.

To introduce and teach chess to schools, libraries and prisons - To raise the profile of chess and highlight its educational and social benefits. - To organise and promote world class chess events to encourage mass participation.

Chickenshed is a company that makes beautiful and inspirational theatre, where imagination translates into empowerment. By bringing together people of all ages and from all backgrounds we produce outstanding theatre that entertains, inspires, challenges and educates both audiences and participants alike. By using the power of performing arts Chickenshed helps people reach their full potential and feel accepted. We create a truly inclusive environment where people don’t stigmatise, label or disregard, but accept and welcome difference. Chickenshed’s vision is a society that celebrates diversity and enables every individual to flourish. Chickenshed started in 1974 in an disused chicken barn. Forty-four years later our inclusive creative process is renowned nationally and internationally. Our purpose-built venue plays host to a huge range of productions and activities across the whole year, offering a welcoming, creative hub to the community. We create in-house productions that take place on our main stage, the Rayne Theatre. We also present regular interactive shows for very young children, new and smaller scale work for adults and families in our intimate Studio Theatre and have a busy programme of live music and comedy events in the Bar. But that’s not all - we run weekly sessions for our Children’s and Youth Theatre members, Saturday and holiday activity workshops for 5-12s, with performance and singing workshops for adults too. We also offer a unique opportunity to learn and perform in a working theatre. We run three nationally accredited education courses at Foundation Degree, BTEC and BA level - and are rated 'Outstanding' by OFSTED.

Child Autism UK is a national charity that supports parents of children with autism. Child Autism UK want a world where parents of children with autism get superior, professional advice in a timely manner and feel empowered to make informed decisions and appropriate choices. Child Autism UK is passionate about releasing the innate potential of each individual child that we work with. Child Autism UK also works with families to ensure they realise that they can overcome obstacles. Child Autism UK puts parents in contact with other parents, provides information and employs nine clinical staff who give advice on behaviour issues. It is a democratic and accountable organisations led by parents.

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year we train over 9000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. In the UK, when a baby or child dies, or a child is bereaved, many of those affected are unable to access good quality support which meets their individual needs. Child Bereavement UK believes all families should have the support they need to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Our aim is to make sure they do. We provide confidential support, information and guidance to families and professionals. Our National Helpline is available to take calls and respond to emails 9am-5pm Monday -Friday along with an online Live Chat from 9 am to 5 pm. The helpline can provide support and Information such as a confidential listening service, advice, guidance and information on a wide range of topics, signposting to other local and national organisations which may be able to offer further support specific to your needs. For more information or to support the work of the charity, please email: support@childbereavementuk.org. Visit our website: http://www.childbereavementuk.org or call us on: (01494) 568900, National helpline: (0800) 02 888 40

When a child acquires a brain injury it can have a devastating affect on all the family. Every year thousands of families are left without any support and often feel alone with nowhere to turn to. We are here to support families and professionals working with children and young people who find themselves in need of information about what’s happened and how to cope. We are here to listen and to help with practical and emotional issues which may arise over time. We work in Hospitals, Schools and in the community and are able to offer face to face meetings, phone and email support.