Chance UK welcomes Emma Pierre,

new Programme Administrator

“I have worked in various capacities in several corporate focused entities over the past 8 years but have always retained an affiliation and interest in voluntary and community focused organisations.

The move to Chance UK was therefore a logical and necessary progression for me. As the Programme Team Administrator I support the wonderful Programme Management team who work with children, parents, schools and mentors maintain effective delivery and favourable outcomes of the volunteer mentoring scheme.

I am excited at having the opportunity to work for an organisation that is focused on supporting the community and working with children to make a tangible and lasting impact on their lives.

Parting words: If you’re not a mentor, why not?!”

New Chance UK projects launch in

Scotland and Northern Ireland

The next two projects developed in partnership with NCH, the children’s charity, are now open for business in Inverness and Derry.  Chance UK and NCH are working together to provide the Chance UK mentoring programme to more children and families across the UK by working together to establish mentoring programmes alongside existing NCH services.

“Hi, I’m Donna O’Kane and I joined NCH Clooney Family Centre in Derry in September 07.  My background is in youth work and I have worked in many youth settings ranging from youth clubs to managing a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting young care leavers.

“I am now delighted to take up this post as Volunteer Mentor Co-ordinator as I believe that volunteers mentors can have a enormous impact in the lives of the children referred to the mentoring programme. I look forward to seeing constructive relationships develop between the mentors and the children.  I also look forward to the children having fun and discovering new experiences.   There will be positive benefits and rewards for those mentors who continue with and contribute to the programme for the year.

“As volunteers play an integrate role in both the work of NCH and Chance UK, the development of this partnership between the two organisation is very exciting. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play a part within the partnership at this early stage as it can only grow from strength to strength.”

To find out more or to volunteer with the NCH Clooney Family Centre Chance UK mentoring programme call Donna on 028 7132 9444, e-mail at Donna.O’Kane@nch.org.uk or follow this link: http://www.nch.org.uk/getinvolved

NCH Scotland Gael Og Project is based in Inverness City Centre and has five projects providing a range of services to young people and their families as well as a Probation Project.

“Hi my name is Claire Band and I have worked with NCH Scotland for nearly seven years in a variety of projects providing support to vulnerable young people and their families and also with adult offenders.

“Whilst working with an early year’s project I recognised a gap in services for primary school children and when I saw this post I felt it was something I really wanted to be part.  Once reading the information on Chance UK’s website I was inspired by the difference they have made and I am delighted to be involved with this partnership and providing an innovative service to children in the Highlands. “

To find out more or to volunteer with the NCH Gael Og Chance UK mentoring programme call Claire on 01463717227, or e-mail at Claire.Ross@nch.org.uk

Chance UK welcomes Amanda Plummer,

new Hackney Programe Manager

‘I am really looking forward to working with Chance UK'.

'I have been working in education for six years. For the majority of that time I have been a Primary School teacher, working with children aged 3-11.

During this time I was an Equal Opportunities Manager. Within that role I aimed to ensure that every child had access to education and had their needs met. Although challenging at times, this helped to develop my skills as a teacher, but also gave me insight to the many issues facing children today.

I have recently been appointed a Programme Manager for Hackney at Chance UK. I am looking forward to working with schools, families, mentors and the great bunch of people that work at Chance UK'.

Amanda will be covering Rosana Hermosa's maternity leave until   October 2008.

Chance UK say a fond farewell to their

former Chair, Paul Vaight

Paul holding a signed picture of Morrissey. Paul is his number one fan

Paul has been Chair of Chance UK for 10 years and has made a great contribution to our success. He has attended more than 50 graduation ceremonies and been hugely instrumental in the development of the organisation.

CEO, Gracia McGrath reading out Paul's graduation certificate

To honour the work Paul has done for Chance UK, staff hosted a farewell night at Paul’s local pub, the Coach and Horses in Farringdon. Friends, family and former Chance UK staff were there to join in the celebrations. The pub’s chef prepared food especially for Paul, and the new Chair, Geoff Broomhead, kicked off the speeches by saying Paul was going to be a hard act to follow. Paul also received a graduation certificate listing some of his many achievements, just as hundreds of Chance children have over the years. Taking this new role very seriously, he even knelt down to receive it.

   Paul laughing with Sue

Chance UK would also like to say a special thanks to Paul’s wife, Sue, who has attended many graduation ceremonies over the years. Her warmth, generosity and support for the programme will never be forgotten.

 Paul and his family

10 years is a long time, Paul, and you now deserve to put your feet up!

We would like to thank you for everything you have helped us to achieve.

Conservative leader David Cameron visits

Chance UK

Conservative leader, David Cameron talking to Chance UK mentors and Chief Executive, Gracia McGrath

David Cameron's press conference at Chance UK

Iain Duncan-Smith with Chance UK mentor, Chiedza Kurangwa

David Cameron joins the Centre for Social Justice at the launch of their 2007-2008 policy programme. The leader of the Conservative Party calls for an end to British poverty by changes to the benefit system, promoting eduation and boosting powers to local communities and the voluntary sector. The event was hosted at Chance UK on 16 October 2007 where David spent time talking to mentors before holding a press conference on how their new child-centred policies will support early intervention initiatives such as Chance UK.

To view David's diary and his visit to Chance UK enter this link 'web cameron' and search for 'Making British Poverty History'.

New Chance UK Mentoring Programmes open in Liverpool and Crawley

The first two projects developed in partnership with NCH, the children’s charity, are now open for business in Liverpool and Crawley.  Chance UK and NCH are working together to provide the Chance UK mentoring programme to more children and families across the UK by working together to establish mentoring programmes alongside existing NCH services.

The aim of Crawley Family Centre is to provide a varied service, enabling a positive change for families with children under 12 years, living in the Crawley area. This includes a referred service for families experiencing parenting difficulties, parenting assessments, self esteem groups, drop-ins, English language classes and play schemes.

“Hi, I’m Mark Honeyman.  I joined NCH - Crawley Family Centre in July 2007. My background is in residential care with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties – early intervention with children whilst in the family environment is essential if we are to help children and young people deal with their personal problems and issues.

“This new post is an exciting opportunity to use my skills and expertise with supporting children, families and communities. I aim to empower all Crawley volunteers to best use their time so that they may have a positive impact and bring about lasting changes to the young people in our community.”

To find out more or to volunteer with the NCH Crawley Chance UK mentoring programme call Mark on 01293 511 400, e-mail at Mark.Honeyman@nch.org.uk or follow this link: http://www.nch.org.uk/getinvolved/index.php?i=376&v=69

Mark Honeyman

NCH Liverpool Family Support Service (formerly the Walton Family Centre) provides a range of services to families in the area including parenting support and youth mentoring.

“My name is Lisa Corcoran and I am the Volunteer Mentor Co-ordinator for Chance UK and NCH in Liverpool. I have been a Project Worker with NCH’s Family Support and Youth Mentoring Services for almost three years and I have seen the excellent results that can be achieved through one to one work with vulnerable children.

“When this opportunity arose to become involved with the Chance UK Mentoring Project I jumped at the chance! I feel the partnership of two highly respected organisations will undoubtedly have a positive impact upon the lives of our local children. The response has already been very encouraging, so we are now all looking forward to meeting and training our volunteers in the very near future!”

                                                                                         Lisa Corcoran

To find out more or to volunteer with the NCH Liverpool Chance UK mentoring programme call Lisa on 0151 523 8719, e-mail at lisa.corcoran@nch.org.uk or follow this link: http://www.nch.org.uk/getinvolved/index.php?i=376&v=74

For information on all our NCH/Chance UK national Programmes including Crawley and Derry please visit our volunteer FAQ page.

Running to give kids a chance

Chance UK Mentor Donna Prince holding her medal after the race

Chance UK mentors as well as their friends and family ran in the Lucozade Hydro Active Women’s Challenge on Sunday September 16th to raise money for the organisation.

Congratulations to all 30,000 of you who completed the Hydro Active Women's Challenge in London on Sunday 16th September. You were part of the biggest and best event yet and we hope you had a great day.

  Mentor Donna Prince holding the Chance UK banner at the finishing line

This is Donna Prince’s fourth year running the Lucozade Hydro Active Challenge.  “I am passionate about changing young lives in the community which is why I volunteered as a mentor for Chance UK.  This role as a volunteer also complements my work as an Assistant Project Manager with children and families.  I have got a lot out of volunteering with Chance UK so am delighted to be able to combine my enjoyment of running this race with the chance to raise some money for Chance UK.”

Chance UK Mentor Donna Prince posing for a photograph and celebrating with her friend after the race

Donna beat her personal best and finished the race under 25 minutes. ' I really appreciated Chance UKs' support on Sunday - my running time was better then last year. I must admit I felt like quiting numerous times but I just kept on going'.

“I completed my year as a mentor in October,” said Dr Rosie Campbell, a former Chance UK volunteer, “and when the opportunity came to do something else to support Chance UK I jumped at the chance.  I’ve even got three of my friends joining me.  It’s great to be able to support this charity that does such great work for children in need of support.”

Former mentor and personal trainer Lewis Clark offered his time to run a training session for some of the runners.  “I got involved with Chance UK as I had noticed that there were young kids messing around and getting into trouble in my local community because they didn’t have enough to do.  Then I saw a Chance UK poster and knew that this is what I should do to make a difference. I had such a great experience as a volunteer with Chance UK so I was more than happy to help support these women in their fundraising challenge.”

Completing the 5km course is a fantastic achievement and from all the staff here at Chance UK, thank you.

A cheery start to the week

Congratulations to Rosana, Octave and the Hermosa family. Born on friday 26 October the new addition to the family is doing well.

Chance UK would like to send all our love and best wishes to the Hermosa Family.

Looks like he's going to be one cool kid.

Author raises 1,200 for Chance UK

Chance UK was chosen as the official charity for the launch of Gods Behaving Badly (Random House), the debut novel by Marie Phillips.

Marie has already raised over £1,200 for Chance UK, and has also decided to donate the royalties from all copies of the book sold at the launch. She told the 120 guests that she would never have got to this point without the support of the fantastic people in her life, and wanted to use the opportunity to help children who were less fortunate.

Two copies of the book were signed by the author and will be used as prizes for a future fundraising event, along with two exclusive Gods Behaving Badly shoulder bags!

The story of Gods Behaving Badly: Being immortal isn't all it's cracked up to be. Life's hard for a Greek god in the 21st century: nobody believes in you any more, even your own family doesn't respect you, and you're stuck in a delapidated hovel in north London with too many siblings and not enough hot water. But for Artemis (goddess of hunting, professional dog walker), Aphrodite (goddess of beauty, telephone sex operator) and Apollo (god of the sun, TV psychic) there's no way out...Until a meek cleaner and her would-be boyfriend come into their lives, and turn the world literally upside down.

Gods Behaving Badly is that rare thing, a charming, funny, utterly original first novel that satisfies the head and the heart.

Waterstones rated Phillips' first novel as their Book of the month.

Chance UK would like to say a huge thanks for the money Marie has raised so far for the charity.

June's graduation ceremony

Congratulations to Andrew and Lea, Sandeep and Jo, Liam and Bob, Tobi and Tom, Shane and Kevin, Aaron and Stephen, Leavante and Stephen, Roshni and Gina, Luke and Juliet, Jeanta and Beth from all the staff at Chance UK.

Chance UK launch new partnership deal with NCH

NCH, the children’s charity and Chance UK have developed a partnership to offer mentoring programmes in several areas of the UK.  These programmes will help children who are in need of additional support with behavioural problems they are facing.

"...all charities should consider seriously and imaginatively whether there are ways in which they could do more and better for their users by working together."

Charity Commission, Collaborative Working and Mergers (RS4) 2003

Campbell Robb, Director General of the Office of the Third Sector, launchs the partnership with Jo Hobbs and Paul Vaight of Chance UK and Hugh Thonbery and Ken McDougall of NCH                        

As a small community based organisation Chance UK delivers an innovative and unique mentoring programme to children in Islington and Hackney.  “We are delighted to be able to offer our mentoring programme to more children, families and communities across the UK,” says Jo Hobbs, National Development Manager at Chance UK.  “Having a small infrastructure, mainly focused towards the delivery of our programme in London, we had been unable to consider expanding our services without working in partnership with others.  To be working with NCH, which has such a good reputation for delivering wide ranging, quality children’s services, is a fantastic opportunity for us.”

The Chance UK child mentoring programme has achieved Approved Provider Standard from the national Mentoring and Befriending Foundation and has also won awards for volunteer support, alcohol prevention among primary school children and social reform.  By working with Chance UK, NCH can deliver a tried and tested, quality assured programme. “NCH is very excited about this partnership.  As one of the UK’s leading children’s charities we are totally committed to supporting the diversity and development of the sector and it is great to be working alongside an organisation like Chance UK to develop their successful work,” says Hugh Thornbery, Director of Children’s Services at NCH. “Chance UK are proving to be a great organisation to work with.  They have evidenced how effective they are in turning children’s lives around; they are now demonstrating their capacity to work in partnership with us to meet need in different parts of the UK. ”

"...all charities should consider seriously and imaginatively whether there are ways in which they could do more and better for their users by working together."

Charity Commission, Collaborative Working and Mergers (RS4) 2003

Campbell Robb, Director General of the Office of the Third Sector, launched the partnership at a recent event, stating how pleased he was to see organisations in the Third Sector working together, “It is good to see that Chance UK and NCH have come together to take this inspiring mentoring scheme to other parts of the country. It is encouraging to see charities come together for the benefit of children and young people.”

Campbell Robb at the Chance UK graduation ceremony in April

Both Chance UK and NCH believe that this partnership brings the best of both organisations together to better support vulnerable children.  In the first phase of the partnership mentoring programmes will be established in Crawley, Liverpool, Derry and across Inverness and the Highlands.

About NCH

NCH is the UK’s leading children’s charity. Through their services and campaigns they support children and young people in the UK and internationally, including those:

• whose families need support

• who are disabled

• who cannot live with their birth families

• who experience severe difficulties in their lives

They seek to work with a wide variety of organisations, using their unique experience and expertise to create effective, supportive relationships to best meet the needs of children and young people.

They offer wide-ranging volunteer opportunities that make a real difference to children’s lives, and are committed to supporting their volunteers in their development.

About Chance UK

Chance UK seeks to provide an early and transforming intervention in the lives of children so that together with their families they may begin to build a brighter future.

Chance UK provides specific and targeted solutionfocused mentoring for children aged 5–11 years, based on individual needs. The programme is delivered by carefully screened and trained volunteers who are closely supervised and supported.

      Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP hosting Chance UK's Christmas Party at       Downing Street

In 2004 Chance UK was highlighted as a ‘Gold Star’ mentoring project and retained this status in 2006. Chance UK is one of only six such projects across the UK to have been recognised under this programme run by the Cabinet Office.

                    Chance UK                                         NCH

                Second Floor                                       85 Highbury Park

                89-93 Fonthill Road                              London

                London                                               N5 1UD

                N4 3JH                                                T: 020 7704 7000  

                T: 020 7281 5858                                F: 020 7226 2537

                F: 020 7281 4402                                www.nch.org.uk

               www.chanceuk.com

Chance UK welcomes new Training Officer,   Matt Collins

'I have worked in youth and first aid volunteering projects for the last five years.

Chance UK's direct work with young people and the demonstrable effect it has on their lives inspired me to want to work here.

I am really excited by the prospect of training our fantastic volunteers to ensure that the children we work with continue to benefit from inspiring and supportive mentoring relationships'.

Mark and Christopher visit the new Wembley Stadium

by Mark Brough

England U16 vs Spain U16 at Wembley - 28 April 2007

Walking up the huge concrete slopes up to Wembley Stadium, is how I imagine walking up an elevated motorway in to Darth Vader’s Death Star. It’s enormous. It’s vast. It’s….. awesome.

The arch over the top of the stadium (which I previously believed to be a total waste of space and money) looks like an archway that brushes heaven. When you finally reach the outer glass (exhausted and feeling insignificantly tiny), you realise just how much of a feat of engineering and construction it really is.

If you stand within 5 metres of the outside, it just looks like you’re stood next to a never-ending wall of glass.

When you’ve then trekked several miles further round the stadium to your correct entrance, through the vast expanse of walk ways strewn with food and drink shops, bars, toilets, restaurants, bars, offices and cleaning cupboards (I think they must have more of these than any other building on the planet- 122 at last count), you find your bright archway that leads up on to the stands. And these are serious stands!

As you emerge on to the stands, you realise it looks even bigger on the inside than it does on the outside. The people at the top of the stands on the opposite side of the pitch look like ants. The grass looks like it’s so well preserved, that they stop people going near it. 

We were shown to our section of the stand- the FA Guest area. Now the rest of the seats are pretty darn nice. Not the pokey type where you have to shoe-horn yourself between the people sitting either side of you, only to discover that your shoulders are wedged between the legs of the person sitting behind you, nestled between your knees is the bloke in fronts head. No, the basic seats are nice, comfortable and roomy. We, however, were in FA Guest seats.

To say they were luxurious would be an understatement. These are covered red leather, have arm rests, mould to your bottom like a nice new pair of jeans, and have enough leg room to stage a small war. Having got very, very comfortable, we settled in to watch the match.

I was expecting the best players England had to offer, even at the age of 15, to be pretty god. But these guys were fantastic. It was like watching a Premiership match…… only with slightly shorter players.

The match was incredibly fast with both teams obviously out to impress. Competition was fierce and the game was close until Jack Rodwell who scored in the 52 minute to give England the lead. This goal proved to be decisive as neither team managed to breach the goal line again, which was surprising considering the number of chances that were made.

As we ambled out of the stadium, we agreed that it was one of those “great days”

...by Mark Brough

A day out with Jahmar and Kate at the Emirates Stadium

Jahmar and Kate

Chief Inspector Jahmar standing with his Sergeants

Jamar getting ready for the big game outside the Emirates Stadium

Jahmar standing next to a very friendly Police Officer

My day watching Arsenal football team was fantastic.

I cheered when they scored the goals.

I sat very near the front and could see THEIRRY HENRY.

3 goals to arsenal and 1 goal to Manchester City. ARSENAL WINS - HURRAH!!

Thank you John for the tickets.

From Jahmar and Kate

April's Graduation Night

Dyllan and Lewis                        Lennox and Michael

Farrah and Chloe

Junicia and Sophia

Gwyneth and Ashley                       Nisha and Franke

Michael and Patrick

Congratulations to Gwyneth and Ashley, Sophia and Junicia, Stephanie and Michael, Nisha and Frankie, Patrick and Michael, Lewis and Dyllan, Michael and Lennox, Farrah and Chloe from all the staff at Chance UK

Take up the challenge and run for Chance UK

Taking part in the Hydro Active Women's Challenge is not just a brilliant way to help you look and feel great, but it can also be the first steps you can take towards leading a more active lifestyle.

Many women run in inner city parks every week, but getting thousands of women together on the same day in Hyde Park to raise money for charity does not happen often, which is why the atmosphere of the Hydo Active Women's Challenge is so unique.

Last year Ex-mentor, Claire West ran for    Chance UK in JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. She also did a sponsored cycle ride more recently and has been a great advocate to promote the work we do with primary aged children within a corporate setting.

If you would like to find out more about the Active Women's Challenge run and would like to raise money for Chance UK, please enter the link below for further details.

Hydro Active Women's Challenge 2007

Training and completing in the 5km Hydro Active Women's Challenge on September 16th 2007 will be an opportunity to participate in one of the biggest annual sporting events in the UK.

Ex Mentor and Barings Asset Management employee, Claire West raises £30,000 for Chance UK

The highlight of Barings Asset Management's Sports and and Social Calendar was celebrated on the evening of 25th January when Guests of honour Gracia McGrath and Chance UK staff received a £30,000 cheque from the fundraising efforts of Barings employee Claire West and her colleagues in 2006.

Sian Reeves, Claire West and Gracia McGrath with cheque for £30,000

Gracia McGrath talking at the Barings Asset Management event and collecting a bouquet of flowers from Dave Matthews

Claire got on her running shoes in July of  last year and did the 5.6-km JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge to raise money for Chance UK. She also did a sponsored cycle ride more recently and has been a great advocate to promote the work we do with primary aged children within a corporate setting.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to Claire and her colleagues at Barings Assest Management for all the hard work they have put in over the year from all the staff at Chance UK.

Freeky faces by Cameron Orr

This brilliant drawing was produced by 9 years old Cameron Orr when he attended National Portrait Gallery's art workshop with his mentor Paul. The session was titled 'Freeky faces' and inspired Cameron to draw this masterpiece.

Kool Frankie...by Nisha Mandalia (Chance UK Mentor)

It was a photographic session planned by Chance UK at the National PG on 9 September 2006. 

Frankie and I were taught about different styles of posing and props that are used in the studio. We were then invited to a private view and saw lots of photographs of famous people. After, we went back to the studio and were shown how to take pictures on different cameras - from the old fashion ones to the new digital ones. They asked us dress up in the costumes they had there and pose.

Frankie certainly had fun doing that and choosing his outfit!  It made him feel ultra cool!! 

Chance UK's Graduation night

Salah-Din and Fiona

L to R: Daniel and Michael and Miguel and Jo

Liam and Jonathon

Congratulations to Salah-Din and Fiona, Miguel and Jo, Tyrone and Fiona, Liam and Jonathon, Cameron and Toby, Daniel and Michael for a fantastic year from all the staff at Chance UK.

Thank you Jyoti

Chance UK would like to say a very special thank you to Islington Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja for her support over the past year. Jyoti nominated Chance UK as her charity of the year in 2006-07 and has hosted every graduation ceremony we have held in Islington Town Hall. Her support has been immense and as this is the last graduation ceremony she will be hosting we would like to say a huge thanks for all the help you have given us Jyoti.

...a big thumps ups from all the children, mentors and staff at Chance UK

Islington Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja to raise money for Chance UK

Islington Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja will be taking part in the London Mayor's Annual Walk from the Dick Whittington Cat on Highgate Hill to Mansion House in the City (five miles) on Sunday, 11 March, commencing at 10am.

It's going to be a very colourful event with Mayor's from all the London Borough's walking through Islington in their Robes with the Lord Mayor of the City and Peter Moore the Town Crier in his big feathered hat!!

If you would like to join in and raise money for Chance UK please contact our Chief Executive, Gracia McGrath on 020 7281 5858 x 209.

Chance UK welcomes new Islington Programme Managers Paul Boldeau and      Ross Adams

'My previous experience of working with young people and children has inspired me to work for Chance UK. I love working for an organisation whose contribution to the life of children is practical, visible and lasting'.

I was previously working as an Associate Director working with Teenagers and upon completion of my Psychology degree decided that it was important that I continue working with young people and enjoying their progression and successes'.

Paul Boldeau

'Although three years ago now, the Chance UK mentor training I originally received, and my subsequent mentoring (thank you D) had a strong effect on me. My continued support and enthusiasm for the program after I finished led me to apply for this position. It is fairly different to managing a world class framing workshop!

I will bring dedicated support and additional motivation for the mentors, whilst helping them to see the real scale of the contribution they are making. I am very pleased to be working here'.

Ross Adams

Supporters' Group news

 The first open meeting of the Chance UK Supporters’ Group was held on Friday 2 February at the Chance offices, and a good number of past and present mentors came along, as well as Jill, Cliff and Christine from the Chance staff team.

Two working groups were set up at the meeting, one to draft rules for the group and the other to look at possible fund-raising and social events for the coming year. We also had a wide-ranging discussion about the group’s overall aims.

The next open meeting will be held at the Chance UK offices at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 11 April, when the working groups will report back and we will decide on our plans for 2007 and beyond.

We will send out further details about the next meeting nearer the time. However, if you would like to come along to the next meeting, or have any queries about the group or suggestions for events, please contact Cliff Joseph or Christine Hatt at Chance.

Chance UK's collection day was a big success

Have you seen this Snowman before?

It's 8:30 in the morning on Saturday 23rd December and Chance UK staff are putting on their Christmas costumes at the N1 Centre in Islington to raise money for the organisation. By 9am shops start to open and the public arrive. It's a peaceful start to the day for some, but who would have guessed that the Queen of Hearts, two Christmas puddings, an elf and a snowman was just about to brighten up their Christmas!!!

The day was a big a success and even though it was Christmas, people were more than generous with their donations - especially the children - and of course their mums and dads!!! After just 8 hours, staff managed to raise a massive £750.

Chance UK would like to say a big thanks to Steve Collard at the N1 Centre and to Islington Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja for helping out on the day.

Chance UK win Longford Prize

Chance UK's Chief Executive, Gracia McGrath with Clive Stafford Smith (far left), Jon Snow (far right) and other award winners at the Longford Prize

The Frank Longford Trust Prize is awarded annually by a prize committee on behalf of the trustees of the Frank Longford Charitable Trust. It is sponsored by the Independent newspaper and organised in association with the Prison Reform Trust. It recognises the contribution  of an individual, group or organisation working in the area of penal or social reform who/which has shown outstanding qualities of humanity, courage, persistence and orginality.

Longford Prize Host, Jon Snow with Human Rights Lawyer Clive Stafford Smith

The Longford Prize judges made a special mention of Chance UK for the work we do with children in danger of slipping into anti-social and/or criminal offending behaviour later in life.

Read more on the Longford Prize and the article written by InsideTime about the awards and criminal justice system.

December's Graduation Night

Congratulations to Kate, Helin, Sarah, Courtney, Genevieve, Jade, Carman, Riza, Penny, Christopher, Alan, Edward, Vanessa, Daniel, Paul, Carl, Anna, Summer, Sam, Kerem, Sam and Reece from all the staff at Chance UK.

Ex Mentor Rachel Waldron joins Chance UK as the new Hackney Programme Manager

‘I am inspired and excited about my new post with Chance UK.  I am very much looking forward to building relationships with the mentors and children and supporting them through their year of mentoring’.

While working as a freelance Assistant Director Rachel volunteered with Chance UK, this experience inspired her to change careers and so subsequently retrained as a Youth and Community Worker for Waltham Forest Council.

'I am delighted to have gone full circle and now be working as a Programme Manager for Chance UK'.

Tafari and Louisa's visit to the new Arsenal Stadium

Tafari Webster watching Arsenal play at the new Emirates stadium while his mentor Louisa takes the picture.

Mentor UK's Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards

Friday 29 September 2006 - Museum of London

Blue Peter's Konnie Huq and Zoe Salmon present Chance UK with
alcohol prevention award

Celebrities Konnie Huq and Zoe Salmon, from television's Blue Peter programme, presented Mentor UK's first Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards on Friday
29th September 2006, and Chance UK was one of the joint runners-up in the Communities category.

Some 200 people, many of them children and young people, gathered for the prestigious award at the Museum of London.

The new initiative organised by Mentor UK - the national drugs prevention charity for children and young people - is designed to reward those working with primary age children to prevent alcohol misuse. It is intended to recognise some of the vital work being carried out across the country to equip children and young people with support and information about alcohol abuse, and prevent binge-drinking before it starts.

The Mentor UK's Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards are to be held every two years and are sponsored by drinks company Diageo Great Britain (GB), as part of its commitment to promoting the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.

                                    Winners

Congratulations to the three category winners: The Great Easterhouse Alcohol Awareness Project (Schools category), Time for Me (Communities category), and Hook County Primary School (Young People's Involvement) on the fantastic work they are doing with children and young people to prevent alcohol misuse.

For further information about the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards contact Patricia Orr or Keir Bosley on 020 7592 3106.

'Mentor UK is a registered charity that works in conjunction with its partners in the International Mentor family. Our mission is identical: to focus on the prevention of drug misuse in our efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people to reduce damage to their lives. Mentor UK aims to support the effective use of human, financial and intellectual resources to achieve its goals.'

Chance UK visits new Arsenal Stadium

Islington Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja, relaxes with Chance UK children at Islington's Safeguarding Board Launch at in the new Arsenal Emirates Stadium

Goodbye and thank you Caroline...

Former Hackney Programme Manager, Caroline Hanks

After two-and-a-half years Chance UK says a sad goodybe to Hackney Programme Manager, Caroline Hanks. Caroline has been a big part of our success over the years. She kicked started our healthy eating recipe book and introduced the message board for children and mentors to display their poetry and pictures on, as well as making major contributions to the development and training of the programme.

Thank you for all your hard work Caroline and best wishes from everybody at Chance UK.

Caroline now works as a Befriending Coordinator for Broadway - a charity that provides services to people who are at risk of, or are experiencing being homeless.

Hello to baby Roberto...

Hackney Programme Manager, Rosana Hermosa at home with her family

...born to our Hackney Prgramme Manager, Rosana Hermosa on 8th May 2006. 'Roberto is georgous and being a mum is wonderful'. says Rosana.

Congratulations to the Hermosa family from all the staff and mentors at Chance UK.

Chance UK collects the Queen's Award

Chance UK, London based Children's charity, has been chosen as one of the winners of this year's prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, giving recognition to the unsung heroes in our communities that play an essential role in our daily lives.

All winners have been nominated by members of the public who have either benefited from their work, or seen the positive effect on their community. The Award is only given to those groups where volunteers are judged to have regularly devoted their time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people.

Chief Executive Gracia McGrath receiving the Queens Award from Lietenant Colonel R.E.F Morriss, Representative Deputy Lietenant for the London Borough of Hackney

The award was presented byLietenant Colonel R.E.F Morriss TD DL on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen on Friday July 7 during a Chance UK graduation on Hackney Museum. In presenting the award, Lieutenant Colonel R.E.F. Morriss TD DL said that he felt 'priveledged' to be able to recognise the great achievements that Chance UK volunteers have made. Gracia McGrath, Chief Executive of Chance UK, accepted the award on behalf of the organisation, taking the opportunity to thank all the volunteers, past and present, who had played such an important role in improving the lives of children and families in the area.

Chance UK's Christine Hatt (Islington Programme Manager), Jill Williams (Senior Programme Manager), Gracia McGrath (Chief Executive) and Jo Hobbs (National Development Manager) standing outside the gates to Buckingham Palace

As part of the celebrations for the award, four members of Chance UK staff attended the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 11 July. Jo Hobbs, National Development Manager, said "It was a wonderful event and really was a fantastic way to celebrate winning such a prestigious award. We were delighted to be nominated so to win and get the opportunity to visit Buckingham Palace for such a amazing event was the icing on the cake."

July's Graduation

People taking their seats for the start of the presentation ceremony

Paul and Reece at the Graduation Ceremony

July's Graduation was a big success. Over 100 people turned up on the night to watch the Speaker of Hackney, Cllr. Afolasade Bright hand out certificates to 10 proud children and mentors who were graduated. These nights are hugely popular and it was great to see Mums and Dads, Aunt and Uncles, Brothers and Sisters cheering as the children had their photographs taken with their mentors.

Well done to Kiera, Armani, James, Osman, Suhayb, Rushwan, Reece, Bradley, Kian, Claire, Kizzy, Paul, Preeta, Clara, Dee, Alexios, Fiona, Joanna and Tyler for graduating in July and for everything they have achieved.

A big thanks for all your hard hard work over the past year from all the staff at Chance UK.

Mentoring Works

Mentoring children with behavioural difficulties can have a positive impact, according to the latest evaluation results published by children's charity Chance UK . Their latest evaluation shows that 89% of children who completed the programme in 2005 improved their behaviour with 45% of the children no longer being classified as having a behavioural difficulty.

"We use the tried and tested Goodman's Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and this gives us a clear measure of the child's behaviour at the beginning and the end of the programme," says Chance UK CEO Gracia McGrath. "Our latest evaluation results have shown that having a well structured programme over the course of a year gives children the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and start to make positive changes."

The children are referred to Chance UK as they are at risk of developing anti-social or criminal offending behaviour late in life. The Chance UK mentoring programme's solution focused approach is designed to help the child focus on a brighter future and encourage the positive behaviour that they do display. Some interesting improvements in behaviour were noted by parents. These included understanding the difference between right and wrong, not telling lies and no longer stealing, all encouraging changes in preventing the on set of anti-social or criminal offending behaviour.

Teachers and other professionals working with children have seen the positive changes that Chance UK mentoring can give to a child. At the end of the mentoring teachers felt that 73% of children had better concentration and 82% were more interested in learning. This obviously has a great impact on their ability to learn.

Katie Gonzalez-Bell: "As part of my role as a school-based Learning Mentor at an inner London primary school I regularly refer children to Chance UK for assessment for a volunteer mentor and I have found that those children working with Chance UK gain confidence in themselves and their learning and behaviour improves. The fact that the children are given an opportunity to develop a trusting, fun and rewarding relationship with an adult in 1:1 time I believe helps them to trust other adults and have faith in themselves which in turn impacts their learning and behaviour. The programme also places a great emphasis on supporting parents and this work has led to parents I work with feeling more confident and willing to accept help from other agencies, which is an incredible step."

Read the Chance UK Evaluation 2005

Raising money for Chance UK

Mentor, Claire West will be getting her running shoes on in July to raise money for Chance UK.

The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge is a 5.6-km run/walk that is open to full-time employees of businesses and corporations. London is one of several cities around the world to reach capacity in the Corporate Challenge Series. Sold-out crowds also compete in Boston, Chicago, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, New York and Singapore. In all, over 200,000 participants from more than 7,000 companies will take part in JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge events this year.

'As most of you know I have been doing some voluntary work for Chance UK, mentoring an 8 year old boy. I am trying to raise some extra money for the charity, so I am running the 5KM JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on Tuesday 4th July and I would be really grateful for any sponsorship you can afford'.

The easiest way to sponsor Claire is to download the sponsorship form from this link Sponsor Claire, complete the necessary section and email it back to her at claire.west@baring-asset.com.

Battersea Park will play host to theJPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge when approximately 26,000 city professionals from almost 500 firms compete at 6:30pm on 4th July.

Marathon Man

Chance UK volunteer Phil Jenkins ran in this year's London Marathon and completed it despite injury during his pre-run training. He raised £700 for Chance UK. 

A big thank you to Phil and all his supporters.

A Big thank you from Chance UK

Patrons of the Faltering Fallback Pub (local to Chance UK) organised the Ciaran Cassidy Football Tournament which raised £1000, £250 of which was donated to Chance UK.

A big thanks to them all.

Healthy food is important for keeping a healthy body

by Joseph and Debbie (Ex-Chance UK Child and Mentor)

Your body will only be healthy if it gets the right

balance of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals,

proteins and fat.

Food and drink provide the energy and nourishment

for living.

If you take in more energy than you use your body

will store the extra energy as fat and you will

become overweight.

Being healthy means being active and able to do

all of the thing you want to do.

Exercise is important. Here are some of the

things you can do to get exercise, football,

golf, tennis, swimming, running, cricket and

playing with your friends.

You should try and do some exercise every day.

Gold Standard Volunteering

Mentoring and Befriending Organisations given £2.4 million boost

Chance UK was awarded Gold Star status as an exemplar of good practice in mentoring and befriending in 2004, one of just eight programmes across the UK to receive this honour. The programme has been so successful that the Home Office has decided to extend the award. Here is what they said about the new funding...

Community projects with proven records of spreading good practice were today given a £2.4 million boast. Home Office Minister Paul Goggins announced the first funding awards made as part of the flagship GoldStar Volunteering and Mentoring Exemplar programme (GoldStar).

Successful projects in London include Chance UK, which has been awarded £119,455 for a project to provide mentoring support for children aged 5-11 at risk of school exclusion, and support to their parents/carers. Volunteer Centre Sutton was awarded £115,261 for work recruiting people with mental health problems as volunteers.

Organisations were nominated for their ability to spread good practice in the field of recruiting, managing and retaining volunteers. A third of the grant awarded will be spent on sharing this experience with other voluntary organisations, with the remaining two-thirds to be spent on the projects themselves. Mr Goggins said:

April's Graduation

Congratulations to everybody who graduated in April from all of the staff at Chance UK.

A Concert for Chance UK

South West London Choral Society (SWLCS) will be performing a concert for Chance UK on Saturday 15th July. They will be performing a 'Festival of English Church Music' featuring English composers from Byrd and Tallis to Howells and Walton. Jo Hobbs, National Development Manager at Chance UKand member of SWLCS, said 'It's great great to be able to support the charity I work for through my own hobby. In fact the choir committee were so impressed with the work that we do at Chance UK that they have increased the donation we receive from £1 per ticket to 50% of ticket sales!

Please show your support for this event and Chance UK by telling all your friends and family about it, and coming along to the concert - there may even be a glass of wine at the interval!

Date: Saturday 15th July 2006     Time: 7:30pm

Venue: St Mary's Church, Battersea Church Road, Battersea

Ticket Price: £8

For more information or to book tickets, contact Jo Hobbs on 020 7281 5858 x 212 or via email - joanne.hobbs@chanceuk.com

Chance UK voted Baring Asset Management's charity of the year in 2006...by Claire West (Chance UK Mentor)

I am delighted to say that Chance UK have been chosen as the Baring Asset Management's (BAM) charity for 2006. Chance UK is a registered charity that organises mentoring programmes for five to eleven year olds with behavioural difficulties who are at risk of developing anti-social or criminal offending behaviour later in life. The aim of Chance UK is to intervene early in the lives of vulnerable children to help them, and their families, begin to build a brighter future. Generally speaking the children Chance UK support are not easy to manage, inattentive, lacking in self-confidence, and have problems making friends or getting on with adults. Many of them also have to cope with neglect, inadequate parental supervision, poverty and an unstable home-life.

The way Chance UK aims to support the children on their programme is by carefully matching them with a mentor. The mentor helps the child bring about positive changes in his or her life. Child and mentor meet once a week for one year. During the first couple of months the mentor works towards building a trusting supportive relationship with the child, thereafter, the mentor concentrates on encouraging the child to identify and fulfil worthwhile ambitions.

I have been a mentor with Chance UK for 6 months, before I was matched with a child I had to undergo a rigorous screening process, complete an intensive training course, and attend an in depth interview with a programme manager at Chance UK. Once accepted on the programme I was matched with an 8-year-old boy, Ben. Ben had been excluded from school due to behavioural problems. One evening a week I collect Ben and we do a variety of activities ranging from swimming, ice skating, visiting the library, helping with reading and writing, going to the park, the farm.the list goes on.

The time I spend with Ben is what Chance UK have termed 'problem free time', I commend any positive behaviour, and try to provide some direction and help, or just be there to listen when Ben is upset or in trouble. The first 3 months are known as the engagement process where we get to know each other, after this I had a meeting with Ben, his family, and my program manager at Chance UK where we set 3 achievable goals for the child. The goals have to be agreed by everyone at the meeting, especially the child. We are now working towards these goals, not only does this give Ben a sense of achievement when he attains them, but it also channels his energy into positive projects. We have a budget of £30 per month, it is important that I stick to this budget as over spending can be detrimental to the development of the child and what the mentor program is trying to achieve.

I am really enjoying being a mentor, I always have the support of Chance UK , I can contact them at any time if I need guidance, or advice, or if I have any concerns. Once a month I have a meeting with my program manager where we discuss how the mentoring is going, ideas for future sessions and how to bring out the best in the child.

From a personal perspective this is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Already I can see a positive change in Ben's behaviour, he has been fully integrated back into mainstream school, he is more confident, and more willing to give things a go, he is performing better at school, and taking pride in learning.

Once the year is up Ben and I will attend a graduation ceremony, Ben can invite his friends and family.

Independent evaluations show that the Chance UK mentoring programmes can help children feel more self confident, develop a stronger sense of responsibility, improve their concentration, relate more satisfactorily to others, understand better the consequences of their actions and achieve better grades at school.

Chance UK would like to obtain enough funding to complete a longitudinal study.

Chance UK is based in Finsbury Park, and covers schools in Hackney and Islington, it was established by a policeman from the area who noticed an increasing number of children getting in trouble with the police, he realised that early intervention could make a real difference. For further information about Chance UK please feel free to give me a call, or visit their website: www.chanceuk.com

(due to confidentiality names have been changed.)

February's Graduation

 It's the night of graduation and a few smartly turned out Chance UK children started to turn up with their parents and families to the Hackney Museum in East London.The room was busy with brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends who turned up to be apart of this special occasion. Cllr Linda Kelly was also there to read out the names of the 8 children and mentors who graduated. The night not only recognizes the hard work and commitment shown by mentors, children and their families but also the achievements made by everyone throughout the year.

Chance UK helps Gordon Brown win prestigous charity award

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has won the prestigious ePolitix.com Charity Champion Award 2005 for Children & Youth. Mr Brown landed the honour on Thursday, the second time in three years, in recognition of his work both in and outside parliament for children in the UK and the third world.

These prestigious awards honour the hard work done by Parliamentarians on behalf of voluntary causes and campaigns across a number of categories. To be eligible for an award MPs and Peers have to be nominated by a charity for their good work during the year.

Other winners include Lord Coe who scooped the Education & Sport Award in recognition of landing London the 2012 Olympic Games; DTI Minister, Rt Hon Alun Michael who won the Culture & Heritage Award; Lib Dem President, Simon Hughes who won the Environment Award; Health Select Committee Chairman, Dr Ian Gibson who secured the Health Award amazingly for the third year running; Rt Hon Lord Carter and Rt Hon Lord Morris of Manchester who share the Lifetime Achievement Award; and most effective campaigning charity Cancer Research UK.

The Chancellor was nominated by Chance UK who's Chief Executive, Gracia McGrath said: "We were delighted to nominate the Chancellor for this award because of his commitment to the rights and needs of children across the UK and the third world and for his commitment for the children on our programme in particular.

Also, for us, more than any speech he has given or any policy he has made the one thing that shows his genuine commitment to children is the natural way he responds to them. We train mentors (and parents) how to engage children, to match their language and build trust: Gordon Brown needed no such training."

 Rt Hon Gordon Brown said: "It is a great honour to have had my name put forward by children's charity Chance UK . I am also delighted and proud to have been supported by my Parliamentary Colleagues, the valuable work of whom is recognised by these awards."

So it was that on the evening of Thursday 1 December, a small group of Chance UK representatives, headed by Chief Executive Gracia McGrath , made their way to the grand surroundings of the Institute of Civil Engineers ' Great Hall in Westminster .

There, under vast, glittering chandeliers, and surrounded by portraits of famous inventors, mentor Dominic Campbell and child Cory Brown collected the award from Esther Rantzen on behalf of the Chancellor. Neither of them appeared intimidated by the 300-strong crowd, Dominic reading out Gordon Brown's statement without a pause, and Cory remembering all his lines, as well as managing to deal with a microphone designed for adults.

After the presentation was finished, we could all relax and enjoy the rest of the ceremony - as well as the food and drink. But it's not over yet. In January, we will be attending another ceremony so that Cory and Dominic can hand the award over to Gordon Brown himself.  

Paul Adeleke, Head of Communications at ePolitix.com added that since the launch of the Awards in 2003 the response has been overwhelming. "We have been absolutely delighted by the level of response from charities to these awards," he said. "When these awards were first conceived it was our hope that we could shine a spotlight on the good work done by members of parliament on behalf of voluntary causes and organisations. At a time of increased public cynicism towards government, politicians and politics, we wanted to present the positive and constructive side of politics."

To see more news items for previous months, have a look at the news archive page.