1. Hampshire Children's Fund's Party in the Park entertained 170 guests and the government's champion for young people, Jane Haywood last week.

Jane leads the Children and Youth Division in Department for Education and Skills, and is responsible for the Children's Fund, a commissioning body for projects that deliver services to children aged 5-13, and their families/carers.

She also looks after the Millennium Volunteers and youth volunteering, the Youth Service, and a range of out of school activities for young people. Jane is a school governor, and has been an active volunteer herself since 1970.

2. Alan Cunningham, a Harlem Globetrotter thrilled the party guests with stories and skills, plus young basketballers, the Rising Stars from Gosport's Sports Partnership kicked off a dazzling event! - m.ball@bridgemary.hants.sch.uk

Alan was born in San Diego, California. He joined the world famous Harlem Globetrotters when he was 23 years old, and has played basketball for England and Great Britain. He still plays to raise cash for good causes, and when asked what motivates him? He says that a young man once visited his School and told them "Don't drink, don't smoke, work very hard, and you will succeed…. And this was his motivation for success at School and for living.

3. Our 10 year old hosts the Hulbert Heroes from the Stakes Lodge Project; the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Havant, Cyril Hilton and Olwyn Kennedy; and Hampshire Children's Fund Chair, Jane Reid, joined forty Hampshire projects to share info and ideas with parents, professionals, and children aged 5-13.

4. Pirate Queen, Tina Tompkins, Children's Lead for Fareham & Gosport PCT , launched a new £1000 Community Chest for Gosport projects. A small grants fund to inspire big ideas. Call Tina on 01329 233447 for more information or email Tina.Tompkins@ports.nhs.uk Tina added, "Small things make a big difference to a child, it makes them feel included. It's about giving them the confidence to do well." Tina welcomes enquiries from local organisations who would like to make the most of Gosport's new Community Chest".

5. Pilot 'Youth Inclusion and Support Panels' aka 'YISP' are now up and running in Gosport, Rushmoor and the New Forest. A team of Case-workers are working with children, young people & families to help them avoid offending.

6. The Children's Fund are delighted to have been given a £6 million life-line until 2008 to work with partners from all over Hampshire to build better futures for Hampshire Children. Dale Tomlinson, Programme Manager for Hampshire Children's Fund said, "This money and the ability to plan for the next three years will make such a difference to all the projects across Hampshire, and the many young people and families they support". Call 01730 235236 for more information on the Children's Fund. A few stories from Hampshire projects for your area:

1. Testway 7's project Call Dave Kane on 01264 405625
The 'Testway 7's' project in Andover is a youth-orientated, multi-agency project using sports development with children/young people from local urban areas.

The project aims to increase participation and improve skills and self esteem by pooling skills from different agencies and encouraging positive activities with local children. The project offers coaching for both boys and girls in:

and during the summer holidays, local children amass points for good behavior and team work, which they can cash in on the Grand Finals/tournament day.

Organisations involved include:

The project has been a fantastic success and is making a significant impact on crime statistics on nearby estates, and helping children and young people find things to do that keep them amused, safe, and out of trouble.

Building better futures for Hampshire Children:

(*attached one brilliant Picture – Dave has loads more…)

2. Forest Bus/Travellers Project PR
Children's Fund money has enabled Janet Timmins, Teacher Advisor for Traveller Education, and Sam Wilson, Traveller Project Worker, to work more effectively alongside children from the two Gypsy sites in Hart and housed Gypsies in Yateley.

We have used the money to fund weekly visits by The Forest Bus which has enabled us to run after school type activities, and enabled visits from other agencies. (See enclosed photos)

This has opened up better communication between the families and so has had far reaching effects on increased use of local facilities, for example, Yateley Library, Citizen's Advice Bureau, Schools, Youth Service, and improved access to health care for the whole family.

The Fund has been used to resource and provide training for Sam Wilson and given him the opportunity to arrange new experiences for a number of Gypsy children. For example, a pantomime visit and a trip to Paultons Park.

Thanks to the Children's Fund we have been able to ease the transition from junior to secondary school, funding individuals' P.E. equipment and clothing, books including culturally inclusive material for use in their schools throughout Hampshire.

Following the success of a specialist worker with Gypsies in Hart, the Children's Fund has meant we have been able to recruit additional support for those Gypsy children with special needs in 5 schools. email swilson@hartvolaction.org.uk 01252 815652 or Call the Forest Bus on: 023 80 663866

3. The Forest Bus - Access to Play
Access to Play delivers community development in designated areas with a focus upon 5 -13 years. Children's Fund has enabled a Play Development worker to be employed who coordinates a programme of play activities in striving areas across the New Forest.

The project is part of the Forest Bus organisation, a community project providing play opportunities to communities.

The mobile project provides after school, holiday activities and festival events. Last years festival attracted hundreds of children and families including many from hard-to-reach groups in the New Forest area.

The project is delivering play opportunities to approximately 300 children at any one time although the total number of children who accessed the service across quarter 2 was 800.

Approximately 50 families have regular contact with the project on an ongoing basis and some are involved as project volunteers.

The project as part of the Voice of the Child provides consultation programmes developing communication and influence feedback. Young people and their families have raised their self-esteem and are being signposted to agencies for support where appropriate.

In year two the project will aim to develop services, which provide access to play.

The feedback and evaluation is ongoing and forms a central part of encouraging young peoples participation.

Check out the bus timetable at www.forestbus.co.uk

Call Tony Bostock on 01794 519998 or email tony.bostock@hants.gov.uk for more information on Hampshire Children's Fund projects in South West Hants.

Hampshire Children's Fund is a special fund, set up to help children aged 5-13 years and their families access better services. Working together with local partners, we commission projects to build better futures for Hampshire Children. Call the team on 01730 235236.