Unity - Uniform Equity for all

15/02/2025

🙏A Heartfelt Thanks to Unity & The JTK Foundation🙏
- From Edenbridge Primary School

The Hardship Fund plays a vital role in helping local families navigate tough times. Its purpose is to provide support for families facing unexpected challenges. In addition to this, the fund helps families access important resources, including brand new school uniforms and other necessary supplies for their children.

Unity's generous donation - raised by stallholders and customers at the Eden Artisans Christmas Market - has made a significant impact by helping cover the costs of these critical resources.
Thanks to Unity’s support, families at our school are able to ensure their children are well-prepared for school, regardless of their financial situation. This contribution helps make sure that no child has to go without the tools they need to succeed.

We encourage others in the community to consider donating or volunteering to help continue this important work. Every contribution, big or small, helps strengthen our community and ensures that local families receive the support they need to thrive. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Thank you Unity & The JTK Foundation 💙

👏🏽 Eden Artisans & all our stallholders!
👏🏽 JTK Candle Co. (The JTK Foundation)

(Sent via email from The Edenbridge Primary Family worker)

23/09/2024

NSPCC 💚

Social media has many positive features. Children can stay connected and learn different things. But like most things, there can be negatives too. For children and young people, there are risks to be aware of so that you can keep your child safe. Location, privacy settings and age ratings are all important things to explore. If you need more advice, we're here to support you.

Visit https://bit.ly/453pt1J

22/09/2024

REPOST: 💛 BBC Children in Need
Just a Spice Girl and a Yellow Bear 💛

Right now, BBC Children in Need are only able to fund 1 in 8 organisations who ask us for help.

Children across the UK are facing greater challenges than ever, with mental health conditions such as anxiety & depression rising, high levels of poverty leading to inequality & lack of opportunity.

Many children are simply carrying a load that’s too heavy to manage alone, so this year, we are asking you to help make life lighter for children.

Find out more at https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/ 💛

✌️🇬🇧💋💕 Feat. Emma Bunton

21/09/2024

REPOST: 💛 YoungMinds

"This alarming data comes from our friends . We’ve been warning our leaders about how bad things are, but it doesn’t seem to be sinking in.

Keir Starmer, please listen to what young people are trying to tell you.

We need to see big changes for young people and their mental health – and there are so many practical things we can do to transform their lives for the better.

Early mental health support that anyone can access if they need it. An overhaul of the school system, with mental health and wellbeing at the heart of it. NHS services that meet demand - and care that sees young people as people, not a diagnosis. Lowering the cost-of-living.

We need to create a healthy and safe world for young people to live in. That work needs to start today."

21/09/2024

REPOST: YoungMinds 💛
Our education system needs to change. Instead of piling academic pressure on you, it should prioritise your mental health, encourage creativity and properly prepare you for the next stage of your life. These are the urgent changes we’re asking the Government to make.

👏👏👏👏👏

21/09/2024

The International Day of Peace: Cultivating a Culture of Peace

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on 21 September.
Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
🌐 Source: Internationaldayofpeace.org

Let us all create Peace Day every!

20/09/2024

Managing your child's wellbeing in the online world
💚 NSPCC 💚

20/09/2024

It's so important that social media platforms get on board with assuring our young people are safe online whilst using their apps.

18/09/2024

Hi 👋 I'm Natalie

Wife, mother, friend, Ulcerative Colitis & Fibromyalgia fighter, CEO of JTK Candle Co, Founder of Unity ~ Uniform Equity for all - part of The JTK Foundation
.. sounds like a lot, doesn't it?

Yet as I write this, I am laying in bed, suffering with insurmountable pain due to my fibromyalgia. I spend most days in bed. That's where all my best ideas come from.

I have always been passionate about helping children. I was a childminder for 4 years, school governor for 8 years, and worked with SEN students for 12 years.
The issues I had to deal with the most in these roles were bullying, mental health, and poverty.
Many of my students had free school meals and access to funds with the local council, to get to and from school/college. But there was never (in my organisations) assistance with funding for school uniforms.
Students -- even from a young age - are ruthlessly ridiculed for uniforms/clothing that were dirty, too small, ripped, and worn out.

Did you know..
Originally, uniforms were introduced in charity schools to distinguish the 'poor' children attending on scholarships from those who could afford private education. Over time, the uniform evolved into a symbol of equality, erasing socio-economic differences and fostering a sense of community among students.
🌐Source: ican-teachuk.com

Yet uniforms are not affordable for most students. A high school blazer currently costs from £32 and isn't competitively priced as there are only a select number of outlets that sell the school you need. Some kids go through ridiculous growth spurts over the summer holidays, meaning that their blazers may only be used for one term before needing to be replaced, or the alternative being - squeeze into it.

With my non-profit organisation 'Unity - Uniform Equity for all', I hope to raise funds for struggling families to buy brand new uniform essentials so their child has the right start or continuation in their educational journey.

Events coming soon!
Natalie 💙

18/09/2024

Kids could be carrying bullies in their pockets...

Before smartphones - if you were bullied at school - once you were in the safety of your home, you were away from the vicious words or actions of your bullies.
But now. To our children, it will feel like it never ends.

In the annual Ofcom study of children's relationship with the media and online worlds, Ofcom said;
"The percentage of children aged between five and seven who used messaging services had risen from 59% to 65%.
The number on social media went up from 30% to 38%.
Over half of children under 13 used social media, contrary to most of the big platforms' rules, and many admitted to lying to gain access to new apps and services"

Dont get me wrong, having a smartphone or tablet unlocks a wealth of educational tools and fun for our children and can be a positive experience for the majority.
But for some, it can become a source of pain, anger, and fear.

Around one in five children aged 10 to 15 years in England and Wales (19%) experienced at least one type of online bullying behaviour in the year ending March 2020, equivalent to 764,000 children.
(Source: Antibullyingalliance.org.uk)

Your child may not voluntarily tell you if they are being bullied online, but these are some signs that may be a clue...

🌐being emotionally upset during or after using the Internet or the phone
🌐being very secretive or protective of one's digital life
🌐spending more time than usual in their room
🌐withdrawal from or lack of interest in family members, friends, and activities
🌐avoiding school or group gatherings
🌐being nervous or jumpy when getting a message, text, or email
🌐changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite
(Source: kidshealth.org)

If you are worried about your child, there are many online sites/tools to help you navigate through this sensitive subject.
NSPCC, Kidshealth.org, Understood.org to name a few.
You are not alone 💙

13/08/2024

NEW! Non-profit organisation and beneficary of the funds raised for this years Eden Artisan Christmas Market...

💙 Unity - Uniform Equity for all
💙 www.instagram.com/unity_equityforkids
💙 Follow & Like for more information and updates!

To book your stall at this years Christmas Market please click below.

https://forms.gle/iu6isfQViQYyC9fK9

Please note your stall is subject to a successful application and paid deposit.