Happy Birthday kids.org.uk

This week I have been sent the proof of the calendar I have been working on since July. It is always very exciting when you see the end product something you had a small part in. And my part was very small.

The calendar is for the charity Kids. Kids is 40 years old and has produced the calendar as a celebration. Kids is a wonderful charity offering an incredible support to families and children from birth to 25. If you would like more information you can visit them at their website www.kids.org.uk

There were 3 photoshoots in different locations around Wakefield. Each shoot followed a similar format: we arrived, set up the room and the families came to their pre-booked photography slot. The photographer was absolutely amazing, he was able to put the families and their children at ease in what was a rather unusual space. It was my job to make the toys more interesting than the specialist lights and the camera. Some of the children posed like professional models, others needed a little encouragement.  We took photos of whole families as well as individuals many were truly beautiful, the families will be delighted with them and it was very difficult picking those that made it into the calendar.

The families were also interviewed as to why Kids was important to them. The responses show what an amazing charity it is.

“You just need to ring them and if they don’t know they find out and ring you back. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

“They have helped us like a friend, any time I can call and ask for help.”

“They cover everything and we couldn’t have done much without them.”

“Kids is important because it provides helpful advice and support and there is always someone to speak to who understands.”

“Kids is very helpful sorting out appointments, helping with benefits and they do great coffee mornings.”

I came away from the photo shoots humbled at how little these families with their very special children are asking for. Kids is providing them with a key worker who can help them through the myriad of appointments, benefits, and facilities available. One of the key workers explained to me that Hull had been a pilot area for key workers. Some Parents had actually moved to the area so that they could benefit from the key worker system. I know that in the green paper there is talk of each child having a key worker I do hope this is something that the government does put into place nationwide.

The calendar will be available from Kids and TFH in November for £5.00.

The most popular toys that I took were the Bouncing Rocks, UV Cubes, Rainbow Streamers, Rainbow Blocks, and the Lollipop Jungle which the photographer said helped so much that I let him keep!