Children on the edge of care, in care and leaving care across East Anglia will be getting help and support with practical problems, social isolation and mental health, thanks to a grant of £21,500 from Cambridgeshire Freemasons to Break, who work to remove all limits on what care – experienced children and young people can achieve.
The funding is directly supporting Break’s Mentoring programme, where twenty-eight volunteer mentors work to address a young person’s needs with contact through a combination of in-person meetings and online sessions.
Every mentoring relationship is unique and bespoke to the young person’s specific needs. They are encouraged to take part in community activities and try new things, reducing isolation, improving confidence and positively impacting on wellbeing and mental health. Mentors also offer support with practical tasks, such as budgeting and college or job applications, for young people who have recently transitioned to independence at 18 and have left their care home.
The grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Caroline Keates, Grant Manager at Break said:
“We are so thankful to the Cambridgeshire Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to continue the fantastic work of our Mentoring Programme. The young people we support have so often seen adults walk in and out of their lives. As well as providing an additional layer of support this programme gives the stability and reliability of a long-term relationship young people in Break’s care so often need and desire. I’m looking forward to hearing about the new partnerships formed from this donation.”
Jon Cooper from Cambridgeshire Freemasons, said:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help Break with their hugely important work supporting children in care. Break’s mentoring scheme provides a real lifeline to these young people, giving them someone to rely on when they’re in care, on the brink of care or about to leave care. It lays the foundation for the rest of their lives.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Photo shows: – Break Mentoring at Break – It’s an ambition at Break for every young person supported at Break to have a mentor
About Break:
Break is an innovative charity that provides hope and support for vulnerable children and young people. Based in East Anglia, they offer a ‘whole childhood’ service that represents exceptional commitment to the young people we work with and investment in their futures. They will do this by offering a pathway of connected specialist support services to ensure young people have the care they need, when and where they need it, for as long as they need it.
https://www.break-charity.org/charity/
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry:
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 30 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history.
More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/ or to our Provincial Information Officer:
Jon Cooper press@pglcambs.org.uk 07714 763427
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation:
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit https://www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@mcf.org.uk |0203 146 3311)
