Government cuts hit Kids Company and Camila Batmanghelidjh is stepping down

[4kidsandaunicorn]

Here

Does anyone know anymore about this? I've only read the one article.

I'm from SE London and I know a few people who have attended KC over the years. The comments in the Spectator article and from sleepyMe chime with what I heard from them. The people I know have huge praise for Camila's efforts but they also have tales of young people there who were really very streetwise and took advantage of the situation (continually requesting further cash handouts without any need to account for expenses, taking numerous gifts like consoles, selling them off then claiming they were stolen only to be given more). They are generous to a fault and it ends up with the most demanding people getting the most help, not those most in need.

Young people most in need, are often 'streetwise' . They are quite often not emotionally stable and secure

I wonder what is next for CB? As I thought, there is more to the situation than suggested in the Guardian (as is often the case!).

Thanks for all your comments. All I have ever seen of CB has been really positive so initially I was quite shocked.

"Young people most in need, are often 'streetwise' confused. They are quite often not emotionally stable and secure."

Hear hear.

Someone up thread has referenced the (contested, and rather thing) Speccie article

Gemauve - I assume it was a typo; what did you mean 'rather thing'?

"rather thin"

Ok thanks

Here's a link to Today interview with CB

I still think the criticism of CB is due to a fundamental lack of understanding of the work she does and the people she works with

It and they just don't conform to a nice ordered and 'normal' Business as usually way of doing things.

That's the whole point. That is why it works. And it might not 'work' for an insider looking in. It often never is going to.

Will you lot give it a break. notso is talking from personal experience, she knows what she is talking about. Being not emotionally stable and secure is not a prerequisite to being streetwise and talking advantage. The kind of behavior notso is talking about should be challenged regardless, extortion is not acceptable regardless of a persons circumstances. Who is going to teach children morals when they are being so blatant, endorsing this type of behavior is not going to be helpful in the long run for the child.

Here's a link to Today interview with CB

Unfortunately I only have a black and white license.

Gemauve - I thought you listened to the interview live? I was providing link for anyone interested.

Yes, I did listen to it.

I was remarking on her remarkable colour scheme.

And for CB to say that she was 'concerned for the women's mental health' as a response is dreadful

There's a good point in the article that they shouldn't take money from someone if they are unsure about the person's mental health. A bit of an own goal for CB there.

My good friend worked for KC a while back and left because she was so disgusted at how 'corrupt' it was. Staff getting taxis everywhere, staying in ridiculous pent houses etc.

I wasn't at all surprised to hear this. I work in the charity sector and had heard 'on the grapevine' that KC was badly run.

How sad, I've always admired CB and KC.

That's the whole point. That is why it works. And it might not 'work' for an insider looking in. It often never is going to.

That is fine until you ask for donations and government funding from outsiders.

I work in the charity sector and this is not news. This charity has not been well run for a very long time and CB needed to stand aside for a more experienced CEO a long time ago whilst remaining a spokesperson and figurehead.

Anyone with any knowledge of how charities are run knows that it's not sensible practice to rely on one income stream, there needs to be a variety of ways that income comes in to ensure that if one stream dries up income can come from elsewhere.

Virtually every charity which has income from the government has known for at least 3 years that in all likelihood their income will be cut and have worked on plans on how they will operate when, not if, that happens.

If CB hasn't done that it further highlights how she should not be the CEO of the organisation.

CB's comment about being concerned for the donor's mental health was shocking

KC are the chosen charity of a private prep school, my DD attends, in London this year.
Approximately £250,000 has been raised for KC. An astounding amount.
I'm absolutely gutted to read this about KC and wish we had gone with a smaller charity which would have really benefitted from the money the school raises for its chosen charities.

I've always been deeply sceptical about CB; I've worked for enough charismatic nightmare charity leaders and the personality-based approach is v dodgy imo.