County Council helps Norfolk charity to ‘smile’
County Council helps Norfolk charity to ‘smile’
18 February 2013
The future is looking increasingly bright for a Norfolk charity and the children and young people they support, after Norfolk County Council granted them a significant funding boost.
Nelson’s Journey, currently based on Meridian Way in Thorpe St Andrew, will receive £250,000 from the council towards their fundraising efforts to purchase a property for their new headquarters.
Established in 1997, the charity supports bereaved children (up to and including the age of 17) living in Norfolk to move forward positively, following the death of a significant person in their life.
Nelson’s Journey are trying to raise around £600,000, so that they can purchase Smiles House – a property on the Octagon Business Park in Little Plumstead that the charity have earmarked as their ideal permanent base.
Demand for their service is increasing, with referrals having risen from 242 in 2011 to 405 in 2012 – an increase of 70%.
Smiles House would allow Nelson’s Journey to expand their service and significantly reduce their waiting list.
Not only does the property provide office and meeting accommodation, but the four acres of parkland will allow the charity to become even more accessible by holding a range of therapeutic activities, as well as hosting fund and awareness raising events, such as memorial walks and family days.
Alison Thomas, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said:
“I am delighted that the County Council has been able to provide funding to Nelson’s Journey, as they make such a vital difference to children right across Norfolk who are suffering after losing a loved one.
“We are unable to provide the whole sum of money that the charity require to purchase their new base, but our contribution will go a long way towards enabling them to relocate to a premise that is more suitable for the demand they are facing and for the support, service and activities that they currently, and want to, offer.
“I hope the council demonstrating backing for their appeal also now leads other organisations and businesses to propel the charity further towards their goal.”
Colin Lang MBE, Chief Executive of Nelson’s Journey, said:
“Our service has seen an increase of 70% in referrals in 2012 compared to 2011 and Smiles House will help us deliver a service that is clearly needed in Norfolk.
“There is evidence to prove that children who do not receive the bereavement support when they need it, have a 65% chance of ending up in the criminal justice system, dropping out of mainstream education, developing mental health issues or drugs and alcohol misuse.
“Finding such a large sum of money for this appeal was never going to be easy but with this fantastic offer of support we have come closer to our target of providing the much needed premises.
“This is a fine example of how Norfolk County Council, even in the current economic climate, is still continuing to support the community it serves.”
