The Honeypot Children’s Charity supports children who you have probably never considered unless you have been one of them in your formative years. Children of primary school age who you will have seen doing the shopping, perhaps still in school uniform around your local store, you may have seen them several times doing that and not stopped to wonder where the parent is. You may have seen a child in the hospital waiting room sat next to an adult in school time but thought the appointment was for them, or a child looking tired, stern and scruffy collecting a prescription.

These children experience what are known as ACES (acute childhood experiences) which are likely to lead to the child becoming an adult who is unable to function productively in society and often becomes dependent upon it. Poverty, lack of social skills, a poor education, bullying, early bereavement, neglect, abuse and maybe being around alcohol and drug dependent adults all take their toll on the child.

Early intervention can reduce the impact of ACES and so change the course of a child’s life in adulthood.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity, through its two respite holiday homes – one in the New Forest and one in Powys offer free breaks to child carers and vulnerable children referred to them throughout the year and continuing outreach support each and every year during their formative years. After assessment, and support with creating the respite break, the children are collected in the Honeypot minibus and taken to the holiday house, where they are cared for by Dreamweavers (play specialists) they are provided with everything they need to have a real break and to learn to play, laugh and have fun with their peers again. Through us, they receive a birthday party, a Christmas party and gift, support with their readingand overall wellbeing.

So this year, the house in Wales which takes children from the North West of England, Wales and the West Midlands is one year old and has taken over 200 children from all of these areas who are vulnerable and child carers. We are completely funded by donations and the goodwill of many individuals and corporates – and this is what enables us to continue to do what we do – support these children and give them a chance of a childhood.There are many ways that Honeypot can be helped to care for these children, from one off donations to charity of the year, getting involved with a fundraising event such as the Santa Abseil off Helsby Rock 16th December, the Great Welsh and London Marathons, Snowdon Zip wire, Challenge the Lakes weekend in May 2018 and so on. Bumble days – coming to the house and supporting us for a day with tasks like tree planting and wildlife pond creation to corporate sponsorship, adding a small amount to a product you retail, volunteering, having your own event and spreading the word and so changing the lives of children that would otherwise have no childhood at all.

Donations to enable us to buy 200 Christmas gifts (£40 each) and provide parties for the children (£6 each)are now being taken, as are donations for having children to stay because to take another 12 children for a weekend respite break this Christmas costs us £3,350. Any further information do contact: Kim 01686 622773/07377802190 [email protected] www.honeypot.org.uk