The Honeypot Charity

Honeypot's vision is for every child to make the most of their one chance at childhood. Since 1996 we have been working to enhance the lives of vulnerable children and young carers aged 5-12 years by providing residential respite breaks and on-going outreach support. We give young carers a break from demanding and stressful responsibilities at home and provide a safe, nurturing environment where children at risk can develop their full potential.

Each year, we work with up to 1,000 children from Scotland, London, the South and South East of England. We aim to eventually extend our services to other areas of the UK. We must raise around £1million each year to provide our services, for which we receive no direct government funding. Currently, 78p in the pound goes to funding children's services at Honeypot.

Who We Help

Of the children we work with, most are young carers who juggle their education alongside performing a surrogate adult role at home. Many of them care for a chronically or terminally ill loved one, or have a parent with drug, alcohol or mental health problems. Some will have been in a caring role from as young as 5 years old, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When not at school they take on duties such as cooking, laundry, cleaning the house, changing dressings, bathing, and offering emotional support. This leaves little time for their own social and personal development, putting them at high risk of depression, anxiety, absence from school, social problems, isolation and poor mental or physical health.

The remainder of children we work with are from homes with extreme social, financial or emotional challenges, often involving abuse or neglect. Like young carers, these children do not have the opportunity to live a normal childhood. For them, going on a trip to the cinema or to the beach is a rarity. Having a break away from their stressful home environment is virtually unknown. This is where Honeypot comes in.

All children come to us on a referral basis and many are listed on the Child Protection Register. We work closely with social services, health visitors, young carers groups, schools and agencies working in childcare. Prior to a child's first holiday, the family will receive a home visit from a member of our team. This provides an opportunity for us to assess each child's situation and individual needs. We can also discuss any concerns they may have, explain the activities and structure of the holiday and, in the case of young carers, reassure them that their loved one will be looked after during their absence.

How We Help

A child's journey with us begins with a holiday at Honeypot House, set in seven acres of beautiful land on the edge of the New Forest. The house can accommodate up to 12 children at any one time and provides a desperately needed break for these young people. Activities such as riding a bike, learning to swim, going to the beach, or just playing freely in the fresh air without the need to worry are often experienced for the first time.

Through informal play and organised activities, Honeypot encourages the children to interact socially with their peers and develop personal skills that will support them throughout life. Following their initial holiday, each child will return to Honeypot for a repeat weekend visit each year until they are 12 years old. We also maintain contact with each child throughout the year with birthday cards, photos, newsletters, Christmas presents and Christmas parties.

We have recently been able to increase the number of children we work with thanks to a new partnership with UK Youth - a national organisation that works with young people aged 13-19 yrs. This partnership offers Honeypot children the opportunity for ongoing respite breaks when they leave us after the age of 12.

In their final year with Honeypot, the children's last residential visit to us is hosted at UK Youth's outdoor activity centre at Avon Tyrell, also in the New Forest, where more adventurous activities are available that are much better suited to the older age group. Having made the initial transition away from Honeypot, the children will then continue on towards adulthood, supported by UK Youth. This partnership also enables us to give up to 22 children a break at any one time - 12 at Honeypot House and 10 at Avon Tyrell.

The Honeypot Playbus also visits the children in their own communities up to three times a year. It is a specially-adapted bus offering an exciting and safe environment where children can learn through play and informal educational activities. Through its mobility and responsiveness to need, the Playbus is also able to reach those children who have been referred to us by social services, but have not yet had the opportunity to visit Honeypot House.

It is this programme of long-term, personalised and consistent support that gives hope and encouragement during these very challenging and formative years. This network offers an opportunity for peer support and enables the children to create nurturing friendships with others going through a similar experience.

By supporting Honeypot you will be giving the gift of time and space to these children. They will learn new life skills, build strong friendships and create lasting childhood memories that they can cherish for many years to come.

How You Can Help Honeypot

 Adopt us as your Charity of the Year

 Organise a fundraising event

 Take Sponsorship in our exclusive events portfolio

 Encourage employee involvement in a sponsored event

 Encourage Staff volunteering

Supporting The Honeypot Charity should be a mutually beneficial experience. We make every effort to promote the support we receive through our database, on our website and through networking events. We offer special referral schemes to our corporate supporters and promote all of the events that are organised.

Please help us to raise the £1million to support the children in our programme and to continue Honeypot's work with children who need us.

Registered Charity No: 1011672

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Childcare Services