Have you heard of the Buddy Bag Foundation?
This remarkable grass-roots charity, helps children who have fled domestic violence. And they do it in the most simple but magical way.
You can read all about its work in this article by founder Karen Williams in Standard Issue magazine.
Volunteers (including me!) pack bags full of goodies to be delivered to secretly located women’s refuges across Britain. So when children arrive, scared of what’s going to happen, they find some comfort in the bags, packed with love.
Volunteering with The Buddy Bag Foundation, along with my daughters Emily and Melissa, 18, (front centre) I have loved being part of The Buddy Bag Brigade.
Items in the bags include essentials of pyjamas and toiletries. But they also include books – and now a bookmark too.
I’m delighted to help.
Here are some ways reading helps children, however frightening their current circumstances:
- It exercises the mind
- Brings people together
- Is great fun!
- Improves concentration
- Helps discover new worlds
- Expands our vocabulary and language skills
- Fires the imagination
- Nurtures empathy
- Makes us laugh
The bookmark has been designed by long-time Buddy Bag supporter Katie Leedham of Be More Roar.
For me, it’s such a little thing – but hugely rewarding.
The best things really do come in small packages.
