How To Choose A Charity Partner For Your Nursery
“We put a huge amount of thought into who we choose as our charity partner each year.”
- by Marg Randles
When the unimaginable happens and we are in our hour of need, many of us are lucky enough to have somewhere, or someone, to turn to. For some, a charity provides this invaluable source of comfort.
As caregivers, teachers and support systems ourselves, it is important to us that the youngest members of our communities – and of course, their families – receive the support they need and deserve. That’s why, to us at Busy Bees, the charities we work with are so much more than fundraising organisations.
As a company, we put a huge amount of thought into who we choose as our national charity partner each year. Parents, nursery staff, senior staff and even board members all play a key role in the decision-making process, as we consider how best to show our support and deliver measurable outcomes and funds where they are needed most.
In the past, we have supported everything from national charities – such as bereavement charity Winston’s Wish, for which we raised over £90,000 across our 329 nurseries – to groups a little closer to home that nursery staff are particularly passionate about. As there are countless charities to choose from, it is carefully selecting a charity that captures the hearts of our whole community that ultimately leads to a successful partnership.
Choosing a charity
These initial decisions, and the first tentative stages of planning that follow, help to spark a heartwarming reaction in our families, staff and the wider area. It is this empathy, hope and teamwork that we are always hoping to inspire, so it is important to us that childcare practitioners involve the children in fundraising activities such as dress-up days, bake sales and fetes, and understand why the community is coming together.
Fundraising for a charity is much more than just a valuable message to our children, though. As parents, grandparents and human beings, we strive to improve the lives of those around us, and as people who hold a passion for the childcare industry, we can’t help but to look at issues affecting young children and their families.
Ensuring children across the UK have the best possible start in life is no mean feat, which is why we, as a large company with the power to make a difference, feel that we have a duty of care to give back. Creating this powerful network, made up of individuals who care, makes the task less daunting, and it’s something we’re proud to be a part of.
Setting objectives
Some of the partnerships we form help us to go above and beyond raising money, to something arguably more valuable – for example, sharing knowledge and spreading awareness. This has especially been true over the last couple of years.
Last year, the much-needed funds we raised for Winston’s Wish went towards funding dedicated services to help children and young people cope with the grieving process, including funding a support programme for children under five, helpline support, drop-in services and practitioner-led therapeutic services. It also went towards funding the creation of a book designed specifically for preschool-age children, to help them come to terms with bereavement.
These are all tangible things that, even after the fundraising has finished, will continue to benefit people affected by these issues. The same is true for this year’s charity partner, Meningitis Now: by raising awareness of the symptoms of meningitis, we are ensuring parents are confident and prepared to cope for years to come.
Making a difference
Essentially, fundraising for us is an opportunity to collaborate with some truly amazing organisations, to make a real difference to the lives of our children and the generations to come. We are extremely proud of the work we do, and it is through sharing our individual stories, thinking creatively and working closely with our staff, children and communities, that we are able to help deliver the support to the people who undoubtedly need it most.
Marg Randles is managing director of Busy Bees.
