The Chronicle Sunshine Fund

sunshine fund logo

Tell us about your organisation/department The Chronicle Sunshine Fund is a local charity that supports babies, children and young people aged 0-19 living with disabilities, special educational needs and chronic or terminal illness. We fund equipment that is essential to daily living and facilitates participation and play. This could be things like specialist seating, sensory toys and communication or education devices. We do not need to see any proof of benefits and we’re not means tested so we won’t ask you about your financial situation. Families can apply to us directly, or have an application submitted on behalf on them by a professional and or, other member of the community. We love to share our families’ stories with our supporters but there is no obligation to do this to receive funding for equipment. Although ‘The Chronicle’ is in our name, we are not part of the paper – we are a separate charity. Team Sunshine also offers family support through our Family Helpline on 07593298541 and regularly hold free, inclusive family activity sessions.    

 

Tell us why being a Haref Ally is important for you and your organisation

It is vital that our service is relevant, accessible, and helpful for all communities. We’re committed to ensuring everyone feels welcomed to access our support and services; especially ethnically minoritized communities who may experience marginalisation or exclusion from services. As a charity we recognise that must always be open to learn and strive to do better for the benefit of all of our existing and potential families. We want to ensure that our messages are appropriate, inclusive, and reaching communities, individuals and group leaders that we might not otherwise reach or who might not realise that they are very welcome to be part of Team Sunshine.

Tell us about anything that you or your organisation has done to improve how you work with ethnically minoritised communities

- First met with Haref in 2017. Undertook Cultural Competency Training 2018/2019.

- Listening and reading research and updates from Haref and partner agencies about the key issues for ethnically minoritized communities and integrating recommendations into our policy and practice.

- Attending seminars and training offered to Allies.

- Meeting directly with Haref staff to being relationship building.

- Working alongside partner organisations such as GP Surgeries in the West End of Newcastle who look after many different ethnically minoritized communities. This piece of work focussed on inviting families with children with SEND to family support sessions in the local practice area.

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