THE charitable arm of Zurich will donate £900,000 to three charities which support young people’s mental health, provide breakfasts in schools for children, and support those living with dementia and their carers.
Zurich Community Trust will partner with Magic Breakfast, Barnardo’s and Dementia UK to give each good cause £150,000 a year in 2022 and 2023, and provide funded apprenticeships for charity partners, employee and volunteer skills courses and wellbeing webinars, paid-for online charity governance reviews, and other support.
Magic Breakfast provides healthy breakfasts to schools for children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas. The grant will support over 3,000 children each year in 15 UK schools.
The grant for Dementia UK will fund two full-time admiral nurses to provide specialist care for families as well as contributing towards running costs for a new bookable virtual clinic service.
The grant for Barnardo’s will contribute towards the running and development costs of the Barnardo’s Education Community, which helps teachers and schools support children and young people with their mental health.
ZCT head Steve Grimmett said: “We’re proud to partner with these charities to support their vital work in communities throughout the UK. “The three issues chosen by Zurich are three issues affecting so many people across the UK.
“The effects of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis mean that, these grants will go towards helping those most in need. We are excited about working with these incredible charities as they help to make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Magic Breakfast CEO Lindsey MacDonald said: “This generous commitment has reached us at a crucial time.
“The combination of both the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis means the numbers of children and young people at risk of being too hungry to learn is growing by the day.
“We’re looking forward to working with Zurich Community Trust to truly make a difference to the lives and prospects of these children around the UK.”
Dementia UK CEO Dr Hilda Hayo said: “On behalf of everyone at Dementia UK, I’d like to say a big thank you to every Zurich colleague who voted and made this partnership possible.”
Michelle Lee-Izu from Barnado’s said: “At a time when so many children are struggling with their mental health, this partnership will enable us to provide support and guidance to teaching staff so they are better equipped to help children before they reach crisis point.”
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