The Frank Buttle Trust
4 million children in the UK are living in poverty. This represents one of the highest levels of child poverty rates in the industrialized world. Poverty wastes talent and opportunity and limits life chances. Children who grow up in low income families can lack the experiences and opportunities that their peers enjoy: for example, going on school trips, proper diets, space to play or do homework, having friends over to play or celebrate birthdays, holidays or winter coats. Children who fall far behind their peers, particularly for prolonged periods of time, are at risk of social exclusion and low aspirations.
The Frank Buttle Trust is the largest UK charity providing grants to thousands of individual children and young people in need. Last year we gave 10,000 grants totaling nearly £3 million, to improve the lives of children and young people, by providing essential items and supporting them in education, training and skills.
In 2008/9 a total of 9,852 grants an increase of 4% over the previous year amounting to £1,951,000 million, were given out to children and families in desperate need across the UK.
Our Child Support grants provide such items as clothing, beds, bedding, washing machines and cookers, for children who lack the support of two fit and caring parents. The Trust does not make any child support grants until we are satisfied that all statutory funding options have been explored and where possible, accessed.
The grants we gave out were given for 45 different essential items, ranging from beds and bedding, cookers, fridges, and clothing to special equipment and therapy costs for adopted children. Grants are made through approximately 2,000 referring agencies, some of which were new, but the majority continuing to be those who have worked with the Trust for many years.
Over the years child ill health, estrangement and loss of parents consistently remain the highest reasons for referrals in all four nations. Domestic violence and mental ill health, or drug and alcohol abuse feature highly also.
Our small grants do not in themselves solve the particularly difficult circumstances these families live in, but they do have a major impact on the lives of the families we help.
Case Study, Josh (aged 15)
My name is Josh and I want to thank The Frank Buttle Trust for helping me in a sad time. When I was 12 my Mum got ill and I looked after her at home. It was hard for me, but I got used to helping. I have no brothers and sisters so Mum was my friend and my family. I always worried about my Mum, but didn’t expect her to die so suddenly. Because I was upset my asthma got worse and the Doctor said I was too thin. Luckily, my grandma said I could live with her but she has no cooker and can’t afford to buy one. My school got worried about me and wrote to the Frank Buttle Trust, who sent us a brand new gas cooker from Comet. My Gran now cooks hot dinners every day and I don’t feel hungry any more. It’s good to know that someone cares when you’re in trouble – so thanks.