We’d like to try a Mumsnet Giving week - tell us your thoughts/ which projects you'd like to support

[JustineMumsnet]

Now then: without wanting to gush, one of the great pleasures of toiling at Mumsnet is watching how much you all give to one another - in terms of advice, humour and friendship, obviously, but very often in material ways, too.

Over the years, we've made a few ad hoc donations to causes and charities close to Mumsnetters' hearts, but I've been pondering how we might formalise the goodwill and try to do a bit more. And I thought it might be an idea to give a Mumsnet Giving Week a go.

Here's how it could work... (and do bear in mind that this is a first pass and we're very much open to suggestions on how to improve/refine the idea; if it works well, we'd like to make it an annual event). Together, we settle on some deserving causes that could do with our collective support: maybe you're trying to bring a community garden back into bloom, for example, or want to start a support group for parents of children with SEN, or are trying to raise funds to buy a piece of vital equipment for a good cause. Or there might simply be a deserving small charity that you want to support.

Once we've agreed who we'd like to back, we'll then have a week in which we promote and highlight them, and in which Mumsnetters can donate as much or as little as they choose, via a Yimby crowdfunding page (here's a bit more about Yimby.com, a new crowdfunding community for social good).

At the end of the week, MNHQ will match your donations (although I think we'll have to set a £25k limit for match funding, just in case one of you turns out to be Bill Gates and drops a million - which of course would be marvellous, but would also leave us struggling to meet the payroll).

If this all sounds ok to you, we'd like your suggestions for projects we should support on this thread. They don't have to be registered charities; indeed, our feeling is that national charities don't tend to struggle for exposure and are probably not in most need of our support. Instead, we'd love to use this as an opportunity to give smaller organisations and community projects some airtime. And because we also want to make sure that the causes are ones that existing Mumsnetters have settled on, we're only going to shortlist projects suggested by members who are registered as of now. (Apologies to newbies who join after this point, but there's always next year.)

After this thread's been up for a bit, we'll go through it, pick a shortlist of five and ask the Mumsnetters who submitted the ideas to start a Yimby crowdfunding page in support of them. We'll then - with much fanfare - announce the start of the Giving Week, during which we'll encourage everyone to donate. And at the end of the week, we'll match what's raised.

Do hope you think this is a good idea - please shout if you think it's lousy or we've missed a trick... Otherwise, please submit your nominations for deserving projects below.

[Midlandsmom]

I'd like to nominate Portage //www.portage.org.uk. They send home visitors to families with pre-school children with additional needs.

Our portage lady has provided the most wonderful support for our dd, who has developmental delays. She has supported us in learning signing, showed me ways to build my child's skills, and encouraged me when I have felt really anxious about my dd's development.

[strawberrypenguin]

It's not that I will be upset if RMHC isn't picked as one of the charities supported flora there are loads of fantastic and amazing charities nominated on here, I was defending them against the sheer stupidity of dismissing the work a charity do as they happen to have the word 'McDonald's' in their name!

[Peregrin]

Do you consider charities abroad? I volunteer with a charity for disabled children in Serbia. They are a fantastic group in so many ways, operating in a very difficult institutional environment, but because they are based in Europe and not in officially developing regions of the world, there are very few donors to whom they can apply. (State support is barely existent.)

They were set up by parents, an entirely grassroots operation, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries. Many of the kids they care for had barely spent time in the outside world before because their families were ashamed, and others because their carers had no time or resources (knowledge, vehicles, money for fuel...). Ten years on, and the daycare centre and more importantly the kids in it are flourishing, they receive individually tailored therapy, they participate in community events in the town, daytrips to zoos etc... They have taken interactive lessons to the schools in the municipality to reach the generation now growing up... But they are always under the threat of funding running out and having to stop their services. There is no alternative to the care they are providing. (and yes they are working on trying to move to a self-sufficient model of funding - it is just incredibly hard given that the economy is so poor even for conventional businesses and they are already so tied up with running the centre as it is.)
Their website, a little out of date, is at www.bethesda.org.rs/EN/index.php

[Midlandsmom]

MrsDeVere Portage has been brilliant for dd , we don't get much other support; speech therapy and physio only visit for 45 minutes every 5 or 6 weeks.

[Hazchem]

great idea. What about the Positive Birth Movement. www.positivebirthmovement.org/

It's small grouped based spread right across the world but founded and run from the UK. It's women and a few men helping support women during pregnancy and beyond to have positive (for them) births. hoping to change the culture of fear that surrounds birth.

I'd also like to nominate Refugee Action www.refugee-action.org.uk/ in particular their fresh start project which works with homeless and destitute asylum seeking women to house and feed them so they can get their lives and then their legal cases back on track. Any of their projects would be suitable. Or even

[Iggity]

I'd like to nominate the Winnicott Foundation.

They are a charity which supports the neonatal units at St Mary's and Queen Charlotte's hospitals in West London. Their aims are to
help save the lives of premature and sick newborn babies, help families to be with their babies and to help to give premature and sick babies a better long-term future.

They fund the following:

supporting developmental care, including staff training and buying materials and equipment to make babies more comfortable such as baby clothes and cot and incubator covers to reduce noise and light, and providing information for parents and staff

medical equipment not available from NHS funds, such as new equipment or early upgrades to benefit from new technology

parent support, including help with travel costs and hotel accommodation for families whose babies have been transferred or are very sick, books and information, parent support groups, a hardship fund, and bereavement support

family rooms and nursery environment, such as reclining cotside chairs for skin-to-skin cuddles and breastfeeding, TV, PC and internet access, and refurbishment of the parent bedrooms and sitting room
research

staff training: helping increase skill levels in the neonatal unit
information and technology including patient database, books and publications

www.winnicott.org.uk

So many great charities here.

[Lizziespring]

Can I nominate a new little social enterprise, linking women into a network, then a sustainable income selling goods we make? Sew Portobello brings together low paid or unwaged women to make beautiful soft furnishings from old or unusual textiles; we sell them on the vibrant Portobello market. In June we will get a shop and a website. Friendly, creative, practical and fun, SP develops the confidence of multi-cultural, very diverse participants completely naturally through building friendships and sharing sewing skills.

[antimatter]

what a great idea Lizziespring - I am reading it in your website!

[OneStepCloser]

I'd like to nominate //smiletrain.org.uk they give free surgery for children born with clefts around the world. It's day surgery which change children's lives.

[hatchypomagain]

mrsdevere - is portage not just the local authority provision ? that's what it is round here - south east ? genuine question and that's terrible if not ...

[Lisajanejames]

I'd like to nominate Zigzagleeds autism support group. Its only a small local organisation that relies on the generosity of others to support its activities it provides for families. Its a parent led support group , currently providing 40+ families with all issues in bringing up a child on the autism spectrum. Been running for 6 yrs now in Leeds. Would be a great worthy cause..any assistance given goes straight to the families ans NOT to any administration cost ;-)

you can find them on twitter @zigzagleeds and on facebook @zigzagleeds community organisation

[CharityCase]

Hatchy The UK government s actually a massive funder of charities working in the social services space through commissioning of services.

[WonderWomansSister]

It's so brilliant to hear about the different charities and projects that MNers are passionate about, and I think this is a great idea.

I'd also like to nominate the Sick Children's Trust, who are the longest-established charity offering UK home-from-home accomodation - free of charge - to families who have a child in intensive care. They have eight homes at hospitals across the country in Sheffield, Newcastle, Cambridge, London and Leeds.

The homes allow families - parents and siblings - to stay a short walk from PICU and NICU wards, when you really don't want to be far away from your child. Each home has private bedrooms as well as a communal kitchen so that families can shop and cook normally rather than spend a fortune on food at a time when they may be a fair distance from home. There is also communal space to relax away from the ward, and toys, books and space to spend time with siblings.

The Trust says "We're here so you can be there" and they do that with bells on. A brilliant charity that does so much for families at what can be the most stressful and upsetting time of their lives www.sickchildrenstrust.org

[FatalCabbage]

I'm going to nominate Red Balloon which provides a safe learning environment for children temporarily (and in some cases permanently) unsuited to the school environment, typically because of trauma. I learned about it through a volunteer.

Their official funding is unpredictable because they don't know who'll they'll have and for how long.

From their mission statement:

The aim of Red Balloons is the recovery of bullied children.

We provide an 'intensive care' full-time education for children aged between 9 and 18 who are unable to go to school because they have been severely bullied or who have suffered trauma, such as the death of a parent, abuse, rape or some other experience that makes them particularly vulnerable. At least half of the students we take have attempted or seriously considered suicide.

We promise the students whom we accept a safe environment with clear boundaries for behaviour, and an individual full-time academic, pastoral and therapeutic programme.

Once the students have regained their confidence and are able to cope academically and socially, we support them in their return to mainstream school, their entry to further education or to employment.

[joanofarchitrave]

This is such a great win-win - I would be delighted to see any of these charities get more support, though would particularly love to see something small and local promoted. I'd agree about the Free Cakes one, which does seem very MN.

I'm still going to nominate another - Full Circle Oxfordshire which runs sessions in primary schools bringing together older volunteers and schoolchildren to enjoy crafts and activities together. Perhaps it could be a Gransnet special?

[lucmedeastan]

Fabulous idea. I would like to nominate The Miscarriage Association. I know it is a national charity but it is quite small and doesn't get much exposure. They helped me so much when I had a miscarriage and the information they provided was invaluable. xx

[StampedLetter]

I would really like to nominate Angels Support group.
www.angelssupportgroup.org.uk
They a a charity that supports parents and carers if children with ADHD and or autistic spectrum disorders. They have recently lost their funding and will close if they do not receive support soon.
They are an amazing charity that helps out so many families in our area. They offer support and advice and will help families navigate through the school system ups and downs. I know many families they have pulled back, literally, from the brink of collapse. I cannot speak highly enough of them. They are small, with only three staff, but the support and advice they give is second to none.

[Blu]

There isn't a day goes by, sadly, when it doesn't become necessary for posters to recommend that someone contact Women's Aid. In fact I have often wondered, when urging MN-ers in a vulnerable situation how much extra pressure MN puts on Women's Aid, and whether we should make a special effort to support them.

I have also supported MN-ers living in abusive situations who have found that the FREEDOM PROGRAMME transformed their lives. I am not sure how this is funded, but again, so many recommendations are made via MN that it would seem a powerful partnership to add to the capacity to enable women to escape abusive relationships.

[JessicaMae]

Just joined lovin it

[joanofarchitrave]

I agree about feeling a bit guilty about the amount of recommendations for Women's Aid we make on here. Same for Citizens' Advice Bureau.

[WonderWomansSister]

But Womans Aid and CAB are there to help people - and thank God they are and do the great job they do. I don't feel guilty that do many women are signposted to WA here, just pissed off that there are so many arseholes out there mistreating women in the first place.

[cheapskatemum]

An MNer has just set up a website called DifferentTogether, to help neurotypical partners of people with Aspergers Syndrome. So far it's only open to MNers, but the plan is for it to be rolled out to all, which will need funding. Gotta go - will come back.