A report from Brother Geraint Thomas – Lodge Charity Steward
Kids Can Achieve (KCA), based in Harrow was the chosen charity of W. Bro Bob Blythe in his most recent year as WM Fortitude Lodge No 6503 (2022-23). Bob is currently IPM. KCA received a donation of £1,250 that was generously supplemented by the “Matched Funding” Scheme, creating a total fund of £2,500 to support KCA’s excellent mission.
For 20 years KCA has provided mid- to long-term support to young people aged 5 to 25 so that they can reach their potential and live life in a fulfilling way. “Clients” include children and young people with physical disabilities, ADHD ( Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism and complex communication and other challenging needs. They also lend support to families by enabling “time out”, through therapies and counselling for stress-related ill health and family tensions. KCA’s care extends across the school year, includes after-school and Saturday clubs and importantly, provision throughout the holidays. Flexible support can be provided at home, with schools, with the wider community and in collaboration with health services.
Community Based
KCA is community-based and the dedicated, well-qualified and experienced team are supported by kind volunteers to give an excellent ratio of staff per “client”. This allows a rich pattern of meaningful, interesting, educational, child-centred, music, arts, games, cooking and craft activities to be offered 1:1, according to individual needs and opportunities for development. KCA’s express commitments emphasise dignity and respect for all of their clients as valued members of their community able to exercise choices and make decisions about their lives.
KCA facilities include a dedicated building specially designed and adapted to meet the needs of children with disabilities, including excellent outdoor spaces. This centre supports the majority of KCA’s activities and enables trips into the community for a programme of exciting and interesting visits tailored by age group.
Ms Emma Russell, KCA’s Fundraising and Marketing Manager, told the visitors that “Your donation will make a huge difference to the children we support. We have been living through difficult times recently with the impact of covid and now the cost-of-living crisis which is impacting the children and families we support as well as us as an organisation. With costs increasing it is becoming increasingly difficult to find funds to purchase much needed toys and equipment.” KCA used the funds to invest in their new sensory room installed 2 weeks ago – the children love the new calming and interactive play and development space. The big favourite is the interactive light panel which plays many different musical sounds when the lights are touched and features interactive games. It is now the first place most of the children go to as soon as they arrive at KCA and is particularly effective with some of their most hard to engage children, relieving their anxiety and drawing their concentration.
The first donation by the Lodge was made in November 2023 with further contributions subsequently together with MCF matching funding.
