Flamingo Chicks #May100

Aim: Increase our reach from 5000 ->6500 disabled children, reducing isolation & inactivity through 50 regular classes & 150 workshops

WHO WE ARE
Flamingo Chicks is a multi-award winning charity and inclusive community giving disabled and ill children the opportunity to explore movement through dance. From a small community group founded in 2013, we have become a national force championing inclusion for disabled children; 20,000 children have danced with us since we began.

HOW WE HELP DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

We deliver ground-breaking inclusive programmes designed to support disabled children and their families through five core pillars:
1) inclusive dance classes
2) peer-to-peer support networking
3) intergenerational volunteering
4) youth-led advocacy
5) global outreach.

These pillars unite creating support, systemic change and a fairer, more inclusive society.  

Covid-19 has impacted our work in many ways – from a surge in demand (we increased workshop delivery by 43% and regular classes by 25% in 2021), to new and different ways of working. COVID also shone a spotlight on the importance of supporting disabled children’s mental health.  

WHAT WE WANT TO DO

Last year we reached 5,000 children but we are still seeing surging demand for our support. With many families behind the Covid recovery curve due to health vulnerabilities - while the world opens up, many disabled children are being left behind. 

This year, we want to raise a minimum of £20,000 to increase our reach to 6,500 children in 2022 and shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting disabled children’s mental and physical health.

Funds raised will help us recruit, train and support new teachers, set up additional regular classes, launch new workshops in places in the UK we haven't worked in before, launch two new tours and widely showcase our techniques, up-skilling many others in inclusive practice.

Reaching our stretch goal of £40,000 would help us do even more!!

Meeting our stretch target of £40,000 would enable us to fund our Intergenerational Volunteer Programme.  Volunteers are the heartbeat of Flamingo Chicks and we rely on our Volunteer Army of 500+ active volunteers who tirelessly assist with the running of our sessions, many as 'Dance Helpers' supporting children to fully participate.  

Inactivity and isolation among disabled children in the UK is a huge problem. 80% of disabled people want to be more active but lack accessible opportunities.

This has a huge impact on mental and physical health with 23% of disabled children obese and many more suffering from depression and anxiety. Parental mental health has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic with 9 out of 10 parents reporting anxiety and 46% probable depression. Our own research shows that 83% of our parents reported feeling socially isolated before joining Flamingo Chicks.

HOW YOU CAN HELP                                                    

We are asking for you to take part in May 100 - our fundraising campaign not only gets people active but will help us keep disabled children dancing!

The concept is simple - you commit to doing something active during May around the theme of ‘100’ and aim to raise £100 by the end of May 2022. You can take part as an individual, a family or a community. 

Supporters have done all sorts from running 100 miles during May to a 100 plié challenge – whether you walk, swim, cycle, roll or paddle, you can take part on your own, or as part of a team.

This is not only an incredibly fun campaign to take part in, that gets you moving, but ALL of the funds raised will go towards Flamingo Chicks’ ground-breaking work breaking down barriers for disabled children and their families and to get more children active and dancing!

This year, we are also challenging our volunteers to go green to support our community and our world so bonus points if your challenge helps our planet! For example, your challenge could be doing the school run on foot or running to work instead of driving.

It’s entirely up to you – but you’ll be fully supported along the way.

Please donate, fundraise and support May 100 to help us reach 6,500 disabled children this year. 

We also have a great selection of rewards to thank you for supporting and for joining the flock!

For inspiration and to find out more about us, visit: flamingochicks.org/may100/         

This project successfully funded on 9th July 2024