Jess Phillips has been the MP for Birmingham Yardley since 2015 and is the current Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. Jess has committed her life to improving the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable. Before becoming an MP, Jess worked for Women’s Aid in the West Midlands developing services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking and exploitation. As a Councillor in 2012 she became Birmingham’s first ever Victims’ Champion.
On becoming a Patron for The Buddy Bag Foundation, Jess said: “Birmingham is my home and I know how brilliant Brummies are at working together to help the most vulnerable in our city. The Buddy Bag Foundation is doing just that and their work is so important! Women fleeing an abusive partner/husband worry most about their children and they need comfort, support and care. Apart from essential toiletries, the beautiful Buddy Bags include a book, a photo frame and a teddy bear. This may not sound like much but for a child facing fear and uncertainty this means a great deal. It means a great deal to their Moms too. They can see the difference it makes to their child when they arrive at the refuge.
It is my absolute pleasure to be supporting The Buddy Bag Foundation and I look forward to joining a Buddy Bag Brigade soon. I would urge everyone to donate what they can to this charity so their amazing, thoughtful work continues!”
At the age of 16 years old Olivia got her first acting role on the BBC acclaimed drama series, Three Girls. She continued to work throughout her A levels and on completion, she pursued acting full time.
“I am working with the Buddy Bag Foundation because it helps vulnerable children, something I became very aware of whilst filming Three Girls. I think it is a wonderful charity.”
Molly is an East Midlands based actor. She started acting aged 11 in Samantha Morton’s feature film ’The Unloved’, and then went on to other film and TV work including BBC’s 3 part drama ‘Three Girls’ about the grooming scandal in Rochdale, for which Molly won the BAFTA award for Best Actress. Coming up in the next few months you can see Molly in new ITV drama, Cheat.
“I am proud to support The Buddy Bag Foundation. It is amazing how they have grown. With such a strong community of volunteers, they are reaching out to young children through the bags packed with love and care.”
I am delighted to become an official supporter of the Buddy Bag Foundation which came about through a chance meeting with its founder, Karen Williams, in connection with breakfast television when she was nominated for an award.
The foundation carries out wonderful work for many of the 48,000 children in the UK who each year require emergency care and accommodation and a sense of security and belonging. It must be terrible for very young people to be faced with coping with loss and grief alone. Yet small gestures can make a huge difference at these difficult times and the backpack containing all the essential requirements such as toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear as well as comfort things such as a teddy bear, photo frame or book is a great example.
The Charity is going from strength to strength and long may it continue. I certainly look forward myself to watching it grow.