Charity Update:  First Steps Bath

Friday 18th November 2022

With winter just around the corner and the cost of living crisis getting worse, we thought it was timely to reaffirm our support for our chosen charity, First Steps Bath.

Who are First Steps Bath?

Registered charity First Steps Bath are passionate about providing opportunities to improve the life chances of local young children who are at risk of being disadvantaged by poverty and family circumstances. First Steps Bath strive to use their income to maximise a positive social impact for children and families in Bath.

Sadly, there are pockets of deprivation within the communities in which First Steps works. For example, in the Bath area, data provided by the Indices for Multiple Deprivation (IMD) show that Twerton now has two areas in the most deprived 10% of England (Twerton West and Whiteway) and Twerton and Whiteway are in the most deprived 20% (IMD in 2019).

First Steps Bath's focus for 2022 to 2023, is fundraising for the following:

• Providing free meals - £20,000: Ensuring that children whose families are managing on low incomes have a hot nutritious meal every day, which puts them in the best position to benefit from the opportunities to learn and develop in their nursery.

• Early identification and support for children with Special Educational Needs - £20,000: Early Years practitioners working across all First Steps services are quick to identify any delays in development and learning and put plans into place to address this. With additional funding this will provide extra time for an experienced Special Educational Needs practitioner to work with families to support home learning opportunities and ensure that children's plans are effective.

• Trips and Activities - £8,500: Children from low-income households are less likely to have opportunities to experience different environments or take part in stimulating activities. For example, a pantomime trip in 2021 sparked opportunities for imagination, language and creative ideas for the children.

• Partnership with Parents: Early Years Practitioner led group sessions alongside families - £1,000: This programme aims to forge and strengthen relationships with parents to model activities that support children's development and help parents to see their role as a partner in their child's education. The project will provide group sessions delivered by an experienced Early Years practitioner following the parents' interests and tailored to their children's needs and strengths.

Please can you help?

Donations, however big or small, can make a huge difference to the lives of young children, particularly those who are at risk of being disadvantaged by poverty and family circumstances. Thank you to those of you who have donated already.

For more information about this wonderful charity, go to First Steps Bath. For donations we have set up a Just Giving page. Thank you in anticipation of your support.