On the 21st September, Bryan Gipps gave a lunchtime organ concert and donated the money raised to The Dandelion Trust for Children, for which we are very grateful. I was asked to explain what we do:
The Dandelion Trust for Children is a farm based therapeutic project operating from a mixed farm in Loose, near Maidstone. We work with children aged 7 – 16, struggling with emotional and behavioural difficulties. These children may be socially isolated and some have been excluded from school.
Our aim is to help referred children to re-engage positively at school and at home, by supporting their development, improving their sense of self-worth and awakening their creative potential. We work by engaging them, and their parents, in a programme of farm based activities and by helping them with any specific difficulties they may have.
We often involve the whole family in our work and liaise with other agencies to help the child gain lasting improvements in their ability to cope at school and at home.
We have a long-standing connection to All Saints Church, as some of our very musical boys on the project have become choristers under the guidance of Peter Richards, to great mutual benefit!
Dr Saskia Hanrath-Renkema
Clinical Director
The Dandelion Trust for Children
Pympes Court Farm, Busbridge Road, Loose, Maidstone, Kent. ME15 0HZ
Tel No: 01622 749299 www.dandeliontrust.org.uk
Registered Charity No 1096862, Company No 4959632,
Company Limited by Guarantee
