Cambridge University Press’s generous donation will provide much needed funds for Blue Smile’s in-school therapy and mentoring service which help to improve individual pupil’s mental welfare and prevent school failure, anti-social behaviour and mental illness, leading to calmer classes and better learning. Some of these funds have helped to set up and support a Blue Smile service at Shirley Community Nursery and Primary School.
Amanda Langford, Clinical Director at Blue Smile, said, 'Blue Smile is enormously grateful to Cambridge University Press for their two years of support. Quite simply, we wouldn’t be where we are today without it. As a small but growing charity, we have benefited hugely from their corporate donations and tireless fundraising activities but also from their, voluntary support, particularly IT help. It has been a whole company commitment that has made a real difference and this has contributed hugely to the fact that our new CEO, Rebecca Wood, now takes over a charity that is more valued, robust and sustainable.'
For the last two years, Cambridge University Press have raised funds through a variety of fun, interactive events. Successful fundraising for Blue Smile flourished; from the Christmas paper sculpture raffle, supported by paper sculptor Justin Rowe that raised £1,500, to a cycle ride which raised £4,000. Other fundraising activities have included cake sales, craft fairs and various furniture, book and Christmas sales. All these events have hugely contributed to Blue Smile’s charity care and support for school children aged 3-13 in the Cambridgeshire community.
Cambridge University Press colleagues nominate and vote for a new charity every two years and as the partnership with Blue Smile draws to a close, the Press has also announced that their new charity for 2015/16 will be Centre 33.
Juliet Snell, Director at Centre 33 said; ‘We are so pleased that Cambridge University Press have chosen to support Centre 33 – their support is a real encouragement to us. Centre 33 provides free and confidential information, advice and counselling for local young people and provides a range of projects that bring support to local young carers. The staff, volunteers and young people at Centre 33 look forward to working in partnership with Cambridge University Press.’
Centre 33 exists to help every young person in Cambridgeshire fulfil their potential. Centre 33 support and empower young people aged 8 to 25 to overcome a range of problems through providing free and confidential services which include Mental health and counselling services both in school and in the community, information and advice services including housing, mental health, sex and sexual health, training, employment and money, and young carer support provided through groups, one to one, family liaison, advocacy, participation, activities and holidays.