A letter to The Daily Telegraph
A letter from the Centre for Social Justice to The Daily Telegraph..
https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/csj-blog/letter-to-the-daily-telegraph
The Cascade Foundation meeting
The Cascade Foundation was to have their first meeting at Sue’s Blackburn house in Leigh-on-Sea on 17 January 2020.
It started off a really cloudy dull day but by 11 o’clock the sun was shining. We had a great turn out of 17 people, some offered to become volunteers, all with a range of skills to offer, such as tutoring in literacy skills, bid writing, or dealing with helping people back into work. They were keen to hear what Cascade had achieved and what we had to offer.
We opened the discussion on the divide between the north and south. I spoke of the 10-mile radius within the north which consisted of 4 prisons and 5,000 prisoners we set out to help. The pre-entry levels of education within the prisons, schools and community were astounding.
We then discussed funding, which had become the main issue, leaving us working on a shoestring. We could not give up on those who could not read, write or understand their neurodiversity.
We spoke about the new TV project with Sandi Toksvig and hoping that this experiment with 8 learners will show what it is like to live with poor literacy skills. Our beautiful poem written about Christmas at the Cascade Hub by Matt Abbott was read by Ann Vann. Rebecca Harris MP wrote an article in our local paper saying ’She was so proud to be our patron’. This was brought in by Fred.
Our first meeting was a success and I was filled with relief after eight years of fighting for this project, knowing I was now going to get help with so many caring people.
At the time people were asking what was going to happen at this meeting and I was unsure at this point what was the next step for Cascade. The Trustees decided that it was time to come back to Essex to refuel, to write our report ‘Dyslexia Behind Bars II‘ Final report of the co-production Teaching Mentoring and Coaching within Doncaster prison and community – covering the last 6 years of our work.
I have taken the decision to find employment within the care system, and our research showed that 45% of our prisoners and ex-prisoners had come through this system. The research has also shown that there are many new companies taking on the challenge of trying to help youngsters with Neurodiversity. In the new review by Lord Laming it states that ‘Children in care are six times more likely to be cautioned or convicted of a crime than other young people.’
Since the move I have been shown so much kindness and love in keeping me focused on the job in hand. Fred and his son Paul spent two arduous weekends travelling backwards and forwards to Doncaster to bring my home and belongings back here to Essex, for which I truly thank them so much.
The object of the charity constitution is to promote the public benefit in education, support and those who are deemed to be at risk of offending as well as families with learning difficulties related to dyslexia or head-injuries in such a way as the Charity Trustees think fit.
The program with Channel 4 with Sandi Toksvig, will been shown in April/May. Our task is to share with everyone, to show awareness of the 8.5 million people with low literacy. Be ready to get involved.
I would like to thank everyone that has supported our charity and joined us for a cuppa on our first meeting, the response was fantastic. Moving on in the future something so wonderful is taking place…
Kind regards
Jackie xxx
Our first case in Essex
Our first case in Essex has been to help a 33-year-old man go to court regarding his tenancy for the home he shared with his ex-wife to move on from the family home and into a flat.
A few years ago this young man fell from his attic, breaking three bones in his back. Due to the pain, he was given morphine which started him on the long road of relying on prescription drugs. His family saw that he started to change, his daughter told a family member that ‘before the fall he was a happy daddy and she wanted him back because this daddy was not nice’, out of babe’s mouth comes the truth. My question was, did he also have a head injury?
A few years later he was involved in a car accident and up to that point no x-ray had been given for his head.
His mother, who had not slept for months, was at her wits end. Knowing the court case was going ahead, she had already taken so much time off work over the last few months she felt she could not ask for more. With just the acknowledgement that Cascade will go to the court and support her son gave her the best night sleep in months.
The last time he had gone to court over an issue with his wife, the court had been told that he had been harming her and she had been sectioned off from him whilst at the court. He explained that he had not been brought up to behave in that way. This experience had upset him so much that he did not turn up for any other related court appearances.
We had met him twice before the court case, talking about his greatest hobby which was music. He also spoke of his addiction to prescription drugs and how in the previous two weeks he’d had another two falls in his room. The hospital had now taken an x-ray of his head and had found a frontal lobe injury that had left him with having epilepsy seizures.
He understood the work of The Cascade Foundation within prisons and prisoners with head injuries. He spoke about that when he is well he wanted to help others who were suffering the same as he has.
The court case went well, and the judge was pleased that he was willing to move from the family home without contesting the tenancy. He said that was their home for his wife and his children. His ex-wife and solicitor were pleased with how he had conducted himself and how fast the case was to move on. The ex-wife phoned his mother the next day and said that she was impressed with the support that the Charity had given her ex-husband, and that he looked the best she had seen in months.
His mother heard him play the piano and was shocked at how well he could play. She has since purchased a piano keyboard for him to busy himself with his music in his new flat. He has been talking to one of our trustees who also loves playing the piano and sharing music ideas and has given him much encouragement to pursue this course. He is now considering starting a degree in music course in September.
The change in just two weeks is amazing his family are very supportive of his needs and the music has given him something else to focus on.
Watch this space for more work of The Cascade Foundation!!
Dear Sir,
As former Labour Minister for the third sector and a former senior Conservative Cabinet Minister we are standing with thousands of small charities to ask government to save the small charitable sector from collapse.
This urgent request is supported by hundreds of small charitable organisations who work across the UK and in our poorest areas. These charities face almost certain collapse through restrictions placed on movement and the impact of these on vital fundraising efforts. The small charitable sector supports millions of our poorest communities. Many small charities have few if any reserves and without the ability to hold fundraising events will be close to collapse in a matter of weeks.
83 per cent of UK charities have an income of £100,000 or less. Analysis conducted by the Centre for Social Justice suggests a quarter of all charities with incomes below £1million have no reserves at all. It is these charities that work night and day with our most vulnerable individuals.
We understand the need for government to take action to combat the threat of Covid-19. There has been immediate action from the HM Treasury to support businesses and we are asking the Government to do the same for the small charitable sector by announcing a £400-500million hardship fund to ensure charities such as ours have a future beyond this crisis.
MPs from all sides of the House of Commons are supporting our plea for help and we are asking the Government to step in straight away.
Yours,
Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP (Con, Chingford and Woodford Green)
Kevin Brennan MP (Lab, Cardiff West)
Rita Chadha, CEO, Small Charities Coalition
Ian Soars CEO Fegans
Jasper Kain Co-Director Football Beyond Borders
Duncan Parker CEO Fredericks Foundation
Karen Davies Chief Executive Purple Shoots
Jaine Stannard CEO School-Home Support
Rosa Monckton CEO Team Dominica
Steve Free CEO and Co-Founder Tempus Novo
Richard Beard CEO The Jericho Foundation
Hannah Shead CEO Trevi House
Ricky Wright CEO Vineyard Compassion, NI
Fiona Dunwoodie Co-Founder 1NE
Nathan Roberts Chief Exec A Band of Brothers
Lindsay Richardson Director Abbey Community Centre
Jo Moore CEO Accommodation Concern
Vicky Browning Chief Executive ACEVO
Julian Prior Chief Executive Officer Action Foundation
Susannah Hardyman Chief Executive Officer Action Tutoring
Dr Siva Puthrasingam Chair Age Concern, Luton
Karen Perry Chief Executive Officer Age UK (Bedfordshire)
Angela Such CEO Alternatives Watford Pregnancy Crisis & Support
Richard Johnson CEO ANA WORKS
Joy Doal CEO Anawin Woman’s Centre
Yvonne Bradbury Manager Andover Crisis And Support Centre
Dorothy Hoskins Charity Administrator Apollo Music Projects
Heather Picov CEO Apps for Good
Sue Williams Head of Services Aspired Futures
Helen Snowden Fundraising Director Azalea
Sohan Sahota Managing Director BAC-IN
Yvonne Hope CEO Barnabus, Manchester
Lynn Tupling Chief Executive Bassetlaw Action Centre
Charlotte Day Chief Executive Bedford Woman’s Centre
Michele Flynn Operations Manager Bedford Open Door
Kent Martin Director Betel
Amanda Croome CEO Booth Centre
Anand Shukla Chief Executive Brightside
David Sweetnam Chief Executive Officer Broadway Lodge
Sarah Dagley Business Manager Broxtowe Women’s Project
Sylvia Simpson Chief Executive Officer Burmantofts Community Projects
Lisa Dando Director BWC
Amanda Dubarry Chief Executive Caritas Anchor House
Tricia Richards CEO Castlehaven
Mark Freeman Interim Chief Executive CCVS, Cambridge
Kate Belinis DL Chief Executive Officer CDA, Herts
Marianne Clough National PR Manager Christians Against Poverty
Justin Thacker National Coordinator Church Action for Tax Justice
Turly Humpreys CEO Circle Community
Verena Hefti Chair of Trustees Citizens Advice Lewisham
June Chapman CEO Citizens Advice St Albans District
Samantha Graham Chief Operating Officer Clean Sheet
Andrew McCracken CEO Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Heather Keates CEO Community Money Advice
Loraine Griffin Manager COSTA Rural Support Network
Nicole Furre Director Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust
Josh Babarinde Founder & CEO Cracked IT
Jason Worthy CEO Dallaglio Rugby Works
Katie Bareham Director Doorstep Library
Anton Babey Operations Director Drive Forward Foundation
Jan Appleton Director Eagles Nest Project
Deborah Finn Chair of Directors Eggcup
Liz Gardiner Director Fablevision
Wendie Harvey Chief Executive FACES Bedford
Marie Davis CEO Falcon Support Services
Laura Hambleton Development Manager Family Matters York
Caroline Jackson Director FareShare Food Group
Cas Beckett Service Manager First Step, Leicester
Julie Clay Director of Food Foodetc
Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist
Jayne Ballard Chief Executive Officer Fun and Families Ltd
Sandra Conte CEO Future Living Hertford
Jackie Kemp Trustee Fylde Coast Church Alive
Flavia Docherty Director Getaway Girls, Leeds
Stewart McKay Manager Glasgow East Alcohol Awareness Project
Vicki Woodley Founder Member Green Pastures
Dominic Pinkley Chief Executive Hammersmith & Fulham Volunteer Centre
Pat McGeever Chief Executive Health for All Leeds
Emma Pawsey CEO Hebron Trust
Debbie Knowles Chief Executive Hetty’s Charity, Nottinghamshire
Paul Crozier Director Holborn Community Association
Sam O’Connor Manager Home-Start, Shepway
James Sloan Chief Executive Imagine If Trust – Liverpool
Joanne O’Connor Director Junction 42
Christian Guy CEO Justice & Care
Cara Cinnamon CEO Khulisa
Dr Eli Gardner CPsychol Executive Director Kids Matter
Nasim Ali OBE Chief Executive King’s Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Ass.
Alison Mawby Project Development Mgr. KPC Youth & Community
Sue Langley Chief Executive Lamp
Matt Shepheard Director Likewise
Alison Goddard Chief Executive Lincolnshire Action Trust
Paul Boucher Director Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative
Jude Williams CEO Literacy Pirates
Chrissy Kinsella Chief Executive London Music Fund
Mike Biddulph CEO London Reclaimed
Rachael Box CEO & Founder London Village Network
Caroline Cook Chief Executive Luton All Women’s Centre
Amanda Heath Centre Manager MADMAC
Marion Pike Director Maiden Lane Community Centre
Mark Molden Chief Executive Marriage Care
Ruth Keily Executive Director Mentoring Plus (Bath & NE Somerset)
Ruth Allonby CEO Mount Carmel Rehab
Jo Walby CEO Mustard Tree
Jane Ide Chief Executive NAVCA
Della Kagure Brown CEO New-Futures
Molly Mathieson Founder & Chief Executive New Note Projects
Nikki Burley Chief Executive Officer Newark Emmaus Trust
Robin Burgess Chief Executive Northampton Hope Centre & Enterprises
Stella Kent Centre Manager Northside Community Centre Ltd
Donna Meredith-Wood Business Development Mgr. O’Connor Gateway Trust
David Smith CEO Oasis Community Housing
Anna Smith Chief Executive Officer One25
Matt Steinberg CEO Outside Edge Theatre Company
Sara Mumby Development Worker Pendle Food For All Food Club
Sarah Conboy Chief Executive Officer Pinpoint
Whitney Iles CEO Project 507
Hollie Venn Service Manager Quetzal
Alastair Jackson Chief Executive Recycling Lives Charity
Rick Brooks CEO Recycling Unlimited
Catherine Gladwell Chief Executive Refugee Support Network
Ewan Malcolm Chief Executive Relate London, North West & Hertfordshire
Joe Heeney Founder & CEO Resolve
Michelle Rutter CEO Riverbank Trust
Kate Clifford Director Rural Community Network
Tracy White CEO Save the Family
Helen Spencer Director SETPOINT Hertfordshire
Angela Cairns CEO Shannon Trust
Mandy Carr Chair of Trustees SNAP Charity
Bridie Ashrowan Chief Executive SPACE
Graham Cobb Director St Pancras Community Association
Penny Parker Founder StandOut
Nicola Panton CEO Stepping Stones
Gus Alston CEO Stonegrove Community Trust
Claire Lambon CEO Stop Domestic Abuse
Hilary Pannack CEO Straight Talking Peer Education
Kerrie Eastman CEO Streets2Homes
Pip Hockton Director Street Talk
Andrew Trewern Service Delivery Manager Supporting Carers and Families Together
Colin Brown Secretary and Treasurer Fleetwood Food Bank
Alice Dawnay Founder & CEO Switchback
Phil Hills Chief Executive Teen Challenge UK
Jimmy Zachariah CEO The Baca Charity
Lily Lewis Director of Social Cohesion The Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust
Jon Smith Bridge Manager The Bridge
Peter Davey Chief Officer The Bridge – East Midlands
Jackie Hewitt-Main OBE Founder & CEO The Cascade Foundation
Ann Woods Chief Officer The County Voluntary Council, Flintshire
Dettie Wallington Chief Exec The Exaireo Trust
Cath Morrison Chief Executive The Lilias Graham Trust
Adrienne Arthurs CEO The Living Room
Alan Sherry OBE Chair The Marie Trust
Victoria Armstrong Founder & CEO The Oasis Centre, Gorton
Sarah Crick Chief Executive The Red Hen Project
Kate Darrah Managing Director The Ridge SCIO
Nan Frame Manager The Safety Zone
Red Godfrey-Sagoo Chief Executive Officer The Sophie Hayes Foundation
Joe Taylor CEO The Wave Project
Rokaiya Khan CEO Together Women
Hazel Mellon Business Manager Tokko Ltd
Ron Overton Chief Executive Transitions UK
Andrew Wallis OBE CEO Unseen
Andrew Parsons Director Victory Outreach UK
Dominic Pinkney Chief Executive Volunteer Centre Camden
Rev Andrew Machin Charman WAVES Seaford Ltd
Natasha Finlayson CEO Working Chance
Stella Connell Chief Executive Officer WL Crisis Centre
Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Founder & CEO Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Trust