Solihull charity cash boost to fund Christmas events for vulnerable young people - The Solihull Observer

Solihull charity cash boost to fund Christmas events for vulnerable young people

Solihull Editorial 21st Nov, 2018 Updated: 21st Nov, 2018   0

A SOLIHULL charity which supports young people with learning disabilities has received £5,000 to fund a special programme of Christmas activities.

Solihull Life Opportunities (SoLO) was founded in 2000 and has been fighting to continue its work in the borough despite losing important funding last month.

The charity supports more than 1,300 vulnerable people – many who have severe learning and physical disabilities.

In a welcome boost, the charity was awarded £5,000 as part of the OneFamily Foundation Community Grant scheme.




The charity has announced it will use the money to boost its children’s programme in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

This includes planning days out to the Meriden Adventure Playground and the National Space Centre in Leicester.


It will also fund a special Christmas outing to see Elf the Musical at the NECC.

Part of the money will also be used to purchase new games and vital equipment.

The charity was nominated for a Community Grant by Alan Cannon, a OneFamily customer whose grandson Charlie is SoLO member.

Children’s project manager at SoLO Kat O’Donovan said: “Going to see a Christmas pantomime is something all children should experience at least once.

“But for the young people who attend our programme, an outing of this kind requires immense planning and often unaffordable costs.

“As an organisation that relies on donations, our resources can be quite limited.

“In the past we’ve had to be savvy with costs, searching in charity shops for board games and art supplies to keep sessions free.

“The funding we have received from OneFamily means we can now afford to plan a range of activities and days out, booking transport and ensuring enough specially-trained staff are on hand to help children create some wonderful Christmas memories.”

Corporate and customer strategy director at OneFamily Guy French said: “The work that SoLO does helps to improve the lives of young people who need it most and we’re thrilled that our funding will make Christmas that much more special for children in Solihull.”

OneFamily customers can nominate local groups, projects and charities to receive up to £5,000 via its Foundation Community Grant scheme, with 30 projects benefiting in the last round.

For more information please visit: www.onefamily.com/your-foundation

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