A trip around the UK
- a snapshot of our work
Barnardo's Scotland
Barnardo's Scotland has produced an information booklet on HIV/AIDS for children and young people. The booklet is based on questions raised by the children that Barnardo's works with who are aware of their own or a family member's diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.
Aberdeenshire - Three new services have opened in Aberdeenshire. One service provides accommodation for homeless young people or those leaving care, while the others help young offenders change their behaviour, and are run by existing service New Directions. New Directions is part of the council's strategy for youth crime and has been successful in stopping young people from re-offending.
Fife - Scottish pupils at risk of being excluded from school are benefiting from a new scheme from Barnardo's Levenmouth Links project. The Primary Support Initiative helps pupils move smoothly from primary to secondary schools. The scheme has been so successful at improving pupils' attendance and behaviour that it is now helping six other primary schools in Fife.
Find out more about Barnardo's Scotland
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland
Belfast - Barnardo’s Parenting Matters service has started a parenting programme for the Chinese community. The first of its kind in the UK, the programme includes sessions on raising bilingual children, cultural identity and discrimination.
Dungannon - Barnardo’s Diamond House Family Resource Centre has piloted a scheme that has had a major impact on reducing school exclusions and improving pupils’ behaviour. The scheme works by getting everyone together, including the disruptive pupil and their parents, teachers and education welfare officers, to discuss the problems and discover solutions together.
Belfast - A report produced by Barnardo’s and the NSPCC on the role that A&E staff play in detecting child abuse has influenced new child protection guidance in hospitals, particularly in relation to the roles of doctors and nurses who have child protection responsibilities.
Find out more about Barnardo’s Northern Ireland.
Barnardo’s Cymru
Bridgend - Barnardo’s Taith service has produced a video and workbook for secondary schools on teenage sexual behaviour. The video is being used by local schools to promote discussion in class about forming healthy relationships and examines issues such as age differences and understanding consent.
Cardiff - Young people from Barnardo’s services in Wales had the opportunity to really get their views heard when they were asked to be on the interview panel for the new director of Barnardo’s Cymru. The young people selected Raymond Ciborowski, who joined Barnardo’s in January 2004. 'This year we worked directly with more than 100,000 children, young people and their families. In addition we helped a further 40,000 through our work with community groups and with other organisations.’
Find out more about Barnardo’s Cymru.
Barnardo’s Midlands
Derbyshire - A youth inclusion service aiming to steer children away from crime and anti-social behaviour has set up in four areas of Derbyshire. As well as working with 9 to 12-year-olds, it will work with parents and schools to address problems together.
The Black Country - In February 2004 Barnardo’s Faith in the Black County Project put together a training pack to give churches a greater knowledge of child safety. The church is the largest voluntary organisation working with children, yet it receives little training before working with children.
Leicester - Barnardo’s has opened a Leicester office to support existing services in the East Midlands and to develop further services in the area.
Find out more about Barnardo’s Midlands.
Barnardo’s London, East and South East (LEaSE)
London - Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, joined children and families at Barnardo’s Spark Centre to celebrate the installation of a new IT suite, which will help disabled children with limited verbal skills to communicate ideas and thoughts.
Essex - Young people from Barnardo’s services have launched P24 – Children’s and Young People’s Participation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. P24 will ensure children’s views are heard at all levels within Barnardo’s, and will also lobby the government on issues that matter to them.
Find out more about Barnardo’s LEaSE.
Barnardo’s South West
Somerset - Children from Barnardo’s services in Somerset held the attention of MP sat Barnardo’s fringe event at the Labour Party Conference. The event gave children a platform to air their views and tell MPs about the issues that can trigger problems and cause them to get into trouble.
Wiltshire - Barnardo’s launched Wish you were here, a report highlighting the difficulties facing parents on low incomes during the school holidays. The idea for the report came from members of a local community in Calne, Wiltshire, who have experienced financial difficulties in the school holidays.
Find out more about Barnardo’s South West.
Barnardo’s North West
Bolton - A group of women from Barnardo’s Phoenix service, which supports local Asian women and children who have experienced domestic violence, launched a photographic exhibition reflecting the trauma of their former lives and bringing the hidden subject into the open.
Blackburn and Blackpool - Barnardo’s Blackburn Family Action, Action with Young Carers and the Blackpool Project, asked children from their services to feed into Every child matters, a government green paper on children at risk.
Find out more about Barnardo’s North West.
Barnardo’s North East
Sunderland - Barnardo’s Hive service has helped reduce crime by over 70 per cent of a Sunderland estate since its community resource centre opened there in 1996.
Whitley Bay - Young people from The Base, a Barnardo’s service that works with homeless young people and those living in poverty, have produced a magazine that was shortlisted for the Deputy Prime Minister’s Award 2003. The magazine was written by and for young people and looks at the issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Find out more about Barnardo’s North East.
Barnardo’s Yorkshire
Harrogate - Nicky from Barnardo’s Dr B’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop, which provides training for young people with learning difficulties, took pride of place alongside the country’s finest baristas (coffee makers) at the Barista of the Year finals. Dr B’s coffee suppliers recognised Nicky’s talent and put him in touch with the Barista titleholder, who trained Nicky in the finer points of the business.
Yorkshire - Voice, a Barnardo’s initiative that encourages young people to express their views and participate in decisions that affect their lives, has been busy in Yorkshire recently. Voice workers Shelley and Joanne and young people from services across Yorkshire met with Children’s Minister Margaret Hodge, after contributing to the green paper on children at risk. "
