A regular donation is the most effective way you can help the Buddy Bag Foundation to continue with our mission to make a difference to children. Imagine having to leave everything
you own and everyone you know. A matter of fact
• You may be shocked to learn that 48,000 children require emergency accommodation in
the UK each year.
• Children fleeing violent situations often have to leave home quickly, without the chance to
collect basic items. These children arrive in emergency accommodation with just the clothes
they are wearing.
• There are over 68,000 children in care in England. Almost 400,000 children received
support from children’s services in England during 2015. (Source: NSPCC web site Department of Education 2014)
Buddy Bags and other Essential items for Children in Emergency Care
We have created the Buddy Bag Foundation in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home. Restoring a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time is one of the first steps
to recovery. By providing these children with a few essential items, we can help make the transition into emergency care a little easier. To support children in this situation we have created the Buddy Bag to provide comfort when all else has been removed and other essential items when they move into accomodation. A Buddy Bag is a backpack that contains all the essential items a child needs. They include toiletries, pyjamas, underwear and stationary. They also include comfort items such as a book and a teddy bear. A Buddy Bag is something a child can call their own, no matter where they go. Buddy Bags are tailored to suit babies and children according to age groups and gender and cater specifically for children aged 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-16 years old. Buddy Bag Foundation Fund - up to £500 to cover essential items when moving from Womens Refuge to accomodation. Purpose
Our purpose is to provide Buddy Bags to children who arrive in emergency accommodation without the essential items they need to help restore a sense of safety and security
How can I help? Due to the nature of our foundation and appeal, we’re always looking for help from individuals and businesses alike. Whether you have some spare time and skills, items or cash to donate, all is welcome. For more information, please see the ‘How can I help’ document on our page or email [email protected]
Where did the Buddy Bag
idea come from? During a visit to Australia in 2014
our founder, Karen Williams, was
inspired by an article about The
Alannah and Madeline Foundation
(www.amf.org.au) which has
delivered more than 120,000 Buddy
Bags to children in emergency care
in Australia since 2007. On returning
to the UK, Karen researched the
facilities available to children in
emergency care and discovered a
huge need for Buddy Bags in the
UK. To ensure as many children
as possible can benefit from the
Buddy Bag scheme, Karen set up
Buddy Bag Foundation
and launched the Buddy Bag appeal
in the UK, with the help and support
of The Alannah and Madeline
Foundation.
