Following successful partnership with Coram Chambers, the7stars foundation seeks further collaboration with chambers to extend the reach of its unique grant programme.
The grant programme funded by the7stars foundation (founded and powered by the7stars media agency) awards grants between £200 and £2,500 to the UK’s most challenged young people (16 years and under). Finance is available for projects
which will impact a vulnerable child’s life (for example, recreational trips, mentoring programmes, and counselling sessions).
The7stars foundation invites lawyers and legal specialists, guardians and social workers to apply to the foundation on behalf of a child they may represent or work with.
Applications must be submitted in line with the foundation’s giving priorities of ‘abuse’, ‘addiction’, ‘child carers’, or ‘homelessness’. Funding requests are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the7stars
trustee board.
Through partnership, Coram Chambers has promoted the programme on a regular basis to their network of law specialists, guardians and social workers.
Foundation Director Alexandra Taliadoros, says: ‘We are so grateful to Coram Chambers for their valuable collaboration which has changed the lives of many young children. We wish to build upon the impact we have achieved together, and extend our
partnership to other legal organisations or chambers who are able to promote the grant programme to their network in order for young people to benefit from this funding opportunity.’
Richard Yorke, a barrister at Coram Chambers comments: ‘It was a pleasure to work with Alex and the the7stars foundation on setting up this project, the collaboration has allowed us as lawyers to go one step further in helping drive the aspirations
of some of the clients we represent. I would strongly recommend other barristers and Chambers to get involved with this project.’
If you would like to discuss partnership with the7stars foundation further, please contact alexandra@the7starsfoundation.co.uk
Case studies
Some examples of the children the7stars foundation has had the privilege of supporting:
A young homeless girl referred to us by a local authority in Harrow
After becoming estranged from her family, she found it difficult to attend secondary school and subsequently missed her GCSE exams. Through her own research, she found a hairdressing apprenticeship program to help turn her life around, acquire new skills
and bring potential into her adult life. Along with this apprenticeship, the program also offers her the opportunity to complete her English and Maths functional skills exams.
Our grant will help her fund attending the apprenticeship and learn a new skill to put into a career to help her move forward with her life. The grant will also help her to buy appropriate attire and equipment as well as a passport and provisional driving
licence, easing the stress of having to afford these items all on her own.
The family of two young children that were referred to us by a South London authority
One child from the family is of school age and due to the lack of a washing machine in the home, he is often in school with unclean clothes as well as often off school due to parents struggling to find areas of support. With our grant, we were able
to provide the young family with a washing machine that will bring to them peace of mind in having clean clothes in help to give them confidence and a better quality of life day to day.
Two brothers from Afghanistan
The young boys were trafficked and then rescued from the refugee camp in Calais by the Baobab Centre for Young Survivors. The brothers had to flee their country after their parents were murdered and en route the pair were separated, unsure if each other
were alive. They are now reunited and are moving into a one bedroom flat that the foundation has provided as well as funding for essential items in their new home. The flat and essential items will help them feel at home as much as they can and provide
the base to begin their life again.
A budding basketball star
The foundation was delighted to fund a place on an NBC Basketball course for a budding basketball star who has overcome challenges in his personal life involving a family members’ addiction problems and domestic abuse. The young man and is now on
track to meet his ambition to go to a USA college on a sports scholarship.
A vulnerable young person referred by a London local authority
This young person lives alone with his father in an isolated and difficult environment. Our provision allowed this individual to have a more child friendly and stimulating home that includes soft furnishings and educational toys. As well as nicer home
environment, the funding allowed the opportunity for an inspiring experience of attending a live football match, which is his passion!