Tag: charity

Scots with disabilities & health conditions urged to apply for £5,740 from tomorrow

Scots with disabilities and health conditions are being urged to check if they’re eligible for financial support worth up to £5,740 a year. The advice comes from the UK’s largest community of unpaid carers ahead of the benefit being made available across Scotland next week.

Pension Age Disability Payment – a benefit aimed at helping disabled people above retirement age cover care costs –  is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, with applications opening nationwide tomorrow – Tuesday 22nd April.

Pension Age Disability Payment rates also increased this month, but Scots are at risk of missing out.

Whilst those already claiming Attendance Allowance will automatically be transferred to the new support, an estimated 1 million people are missing out on the outgoing benefit. This puts Scots amongst this group at risk of losing out on Pension Age Disability Payment, too. 

The care experts at Mobilise aim to raise awareness of the disability benefit and the difference it could make for Scots missing out, if they check they are eligible and apply. 

What is the Pension Age Disability Payment?

Almost half (45%) of people above retirement age in the UK have some form of disability. Pension Age Disability Payment aims to help these individuals cover the cost of care.

The monthly payment is split into two rates, depending on the level of care which is required. Both rates increased on 7th April:

  • The lower rate (for those who require either day or night care) increased from £72.65 to £73.90 a week – £3,842.80 a year, in total
  • The higher rate (for those who require both day and night care, and those who are terminally ill) increased from £108.55 to £110.40 a week – £5,740.80 a year, in total

Who is eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment? 

To be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payments, you must meet certain criteria, including:

  • Be of state pension age (66) or over
  • Have a disability or health condition (you can still apply if you’re waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis)
  • Have required care for at least six months (you can also apply before this point, as payments will begin six months from when successful applicants’ care needs started)

If you live in a care home and your care is funded by the local authority, you are unlikely to be eligible. However, if your care is privately funded, you may still apply. 

How to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment

From 22nd April, anyone who believes they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment can apply – either online using myaccount or via the post. Postal applications can be started by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is a separate fast-track application process for those who are terminally ill.

If you already receive Attendance Allowance you do not need to apply as you will automatically be moved to Pension Age Disability Payments.

There are two parts to the application form. You will need certain information to hand to complete each part and must submit these within 2 weeks and 8 weeks respectively, or contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time.

Details about the information required is available here. A loved one or carer can also help you complete the application form.

What support is available for carers?

It’s not just people that need care who are eligible for support. If you look after a loved one, you could also be entitled to help from the Government.

Carer Support Payment is the main benefit available to carers living in Scotland, and comes in the form of monthly payments. As with Pension Age Disability Payments, the rate increased this month. From April, Carer Support Payments are rising from £81.90 to £83.30 a week – £4331.60 a year, in total.

To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must meet a number of requirements. You can check if you’re eligible using Mobilise’s free claim checker tool. If you’re entitled to Carer Support Payment, you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in-person. See the Scottish Government’s website for full details.

For more guidance on the financial support available to people with care needs and unpaid carers, care experts are on hand to help via the Mobilise website.

Strange Town presents ‘The Dark Up Close’

Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town was set up to ensure that everyone, no matter their experience or their background, gets the opportunity to access life-changing activities in the arts.  

Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, the organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches 2,000 local young people every year through youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors helping to develop the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.

Across all the charity’s activities, Strange Town creates high quality work that is daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, knife crime and climate change anxiety.

The organisation tours local schools with educational performances that spark discussion, debate and often provides local young people with their first experience of a theatrical performance.  

This week the charity’s Young Company (18-25) returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre after their sold out shows there last year.  ‘The Dark Up Close’ by local writer Jack MacGregor has been specially commissioned for Strange Town’s Young Company.  

Open to everyone age 12+ the play will run for two nights Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March.  

‘Two teenagers digging graves, an island full of conscripts and puffins, the guns are silent on the eve of World War III.

‘These are scenes from a near future Britain, a country in crisis, with national service reinstated for all young people. The old world is dying, and the new world has been delayed indefinitely.’ 

Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR

Times: 7.30pm (1 hour)

Tickets Prices: £12 / £10

Ticket Link: https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:5893/

Arts activities enrich lives, but organisations such as Strange Town are seriously under-funded, and the future is uncertain. Strange Town relies on its fundraising activities to deliver fully accessible activities for local young people.  

Funders include the Backstage Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Cordis Trust, Crerar Trust and others.  

The charity also runs the 15for15 fundraising initiative where local people can donate monthly to support their life-changing work.  

More details here https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/

Year of Rugby, A Legacy of Giving: Celebrate National Wooden Spoon Day tomorrow

As the dust settles on the Men’s Six Nations and anticipation builds for the Women’s Six Nations, the Lions Tour, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, there’s never been a better time to celebrate rugby’s power to unite and inspire.

Rugby isn’t just about the game—it’s about community, resilience, and making a difference. That’s exactly what Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has been doing since 1983.

This National Wooden Spoon Day, on 19th March, we invite rugby fans and communities across the UK and Ireland to come together, honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon.

Whether you’re passing a rugby ball, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. Let’s turn our passion for rugby into a force for good..

Get ready to join the celebration as National Wooden Spoon Day takes place on 19th March, marking the anniversary of Wooden Spoon’s founding in 1983. This special day is a chance to honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to supporting children with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland.

Wooden Spoon’s supporters, beneficiaries, and the wider rugby community are coming together to raise awareness and funds in a fun and meaningful way. We are inviting all to get involved. Whether you choose to host a fundraising event, take part in a rugby match, wear Wooden Spoon colours, or simply spread the word on social media, every action – big or small – makes a difference!

How You Can Get Involved

There are countless ways to celebrate #WoodenSpoonDay and show your support:

  • Post on Social Media: Either using the National wooden Spoon Day graphics or getting involved with The Pass the ball campaign
  • Organise a Mufti Day or Wooden Spoon Decorating Competition: A fun way for children to participate while raising funds.
  • Host a Fundraising Event: Plan a charity lunch, bake sale, or raffle to support the cause.
  • Wear Wooden Spoon Colours: Show solidarity and spread awareness by donning Wooden Spoon-themed outfits.
  • Join the ‘Pass the Ball’ Social Media Campaign: Take part in the viral movement kicking off on the 19th March
  • Donate to Wooden Spoon

Recent impact : Sensory room at Murrayfield Stadium

In February 2025, a new sensory room was officially opened at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh by HRH, The Princess Royal.

Funded by a £9,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Edinburgh, this facility provides a quieter, supportive space for rugby fans and concertgoers who may feel overwhelmed by the passionate atmosphere at Scotland’s largest stadium.

Scottish Rugby introduced this dedicated sensory space to ensure that everyone, including individuals with sensory sensitivities, can enjoy events in a comfortable and inclusive environment.

Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, encourages everyone to take part: “National Wooden Spoon Day is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage.

“Whether you’re passing a rugby ball, hosting an event, or simply spreading the word, every action helps us continue our mission. Join us on 19th March and be part of something truly special.”

Make Some Noise for Wooden Spoon!

With your help, we can make National Wooden Spoon Day bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts and use #WoodenSpoonDay to spread the word.

Follow us on social media:

@WoodenSpoonCharity | @charityspoon | Wooden Spoon Charity |

For more information or to get involved, please visit:

https://woodenspoon.org.uk/national-wooden-spoon-day

Amazon Dunfermline provides support to Scot Baby Box Appeal

The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline has delivered products worth £2,500 to Scot Baby Box Appeal.

The Scot Baby Box Appeal supports families with newborns in Ukraine. The charity distributes pre-loved baby boxes filled with essential items, alongside supplies for relief efforts and other critical necessities, helping to ensure that every newborn has a safe and nurturing start.

A group of 92 employees from Amazon in Dunfermline packed and delivered the sorted pallets to the charity’s hub in Coatbridge. The donation included essential items such as toiletries, clothing and drinks.

Alongside the delivery of pallets, seven employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline volunteered at the charity’s warehouse to support with the team’s sortation and space management support to ensure safe and efficient working conditions for the staff and volunteers at Scot Baby Box Appeal.

The charity has been supported by Amazon since 2022, with the fulfilment centre team in Dunfermline making donations and volunteering for almost three years.

Speaking on the donation, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “The team at Scot Baby Box Appeal provides excellent support to families across Scotland and Ukraine.

“Amazon in Dunfermline has a longstanding relationship with the team at Scot Baby Box Appeal and we’re pleased to contribute once again to the efforts of the staff and volunteers with this donation.”

Christina Watson, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in the kitting event, said: “I’m pleased that I can take part in supporting the charity for a second time this year and I can’t wait to see the relationship between Amazon Dunfermline and Scot Baby Box grow even further.”

Gail Maguire, from Scot Baby Box Appeal, added: “Thank you to Jamie and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their continued support with this donation. Their help is always greatly appreciated, especially on the run up to Christmas.”

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need.

The Multibank network has now donated more than 3 million surplus goods to over 400,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, and London.

Amazon has supported more than 700,000 students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Letters: National Cat Awards

Dear Editor

Cats Protection invites cat owners to nominate their pets for the UK’s biggest celebration of cats – the National Cat Awards. 

The event recognises our special relationship with cats, honouring heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and friendship.

As one of the nation’s favourite pets, cats bring fun, comfort and companionship to millions of people. They live alongside us in all sorts of ways, from the sociable cat who greets all the neighbours to the homely lap-cat on our sofa.

Entries opened on 15 January and owners have until noon on 28 February to nominate their cat in one of four categories:

Family cats: For cats who make a family complete, whether it’s being there for companionship, providing solace in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.

Incredible cats – Recognising cats with a remarkable tale – maybe they’ve survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure, raised the alarm to an emergency or even saved a life.

Senior cats – Celebrating cats aged 11 or over, who showcase why older cats are special.

Connected Cats – For cats who share the love and bring joy to people far and wide whether in the community, workplace or social media.

Owners or colleagues can also nominate a vet who has provided exceptional care for a cat in the Vet of the Year category.

The public will get a chance to vote for their favourite cats, with their owners invited to a  star-studded ceremony in London on 24 September where the winners will be revealed.

To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards

Yours faithfully,

Catherine Cottrell,

Cats Protection Director of Marketing & Income Generation

Babies and children in Edinburgh approved for adoption will benefit from newly launched service

Babies and children from Edinburgh who are approved for permanent homes through adoption will benefit from a new service launched by leading children and young person’s charity, Kibble.  

Unlike many others, the new adoption service will work nationwide and collaboratively with local authorities and other registered adoption agencies, to recruit and match adopters with children waiting to find their forever homes in a bid to modernise and streamline the process for both children and adopters.   

The service will join Kibble’s well-established range of trauma-informed care and support which includes fostering, residential care, education and specialist therapeutic support.   

Another unique move from the care provider, Kibble will also be offering adopters and adopted children lifelong access to its services and support which includes therapists, psychologists and behavioural experts among many other industry-leading services available through the charity’s network of expertise.  

Paula Harkins, who is leading the Kibble Adoption service, said: “This launch is an incredibly important step in expanding Kibble’s commitment to children and young people across Scotland. 

“Our vision is to set a high standard of practice within the sector, ensuring that every step of the adoption process is thoughtfully tailored to the needs of the child and the family.  

“Modernising adoption is long overdue, and we must ensure we are respectful of the unique dual identity that an adopted child has, as well as the need for ongoing therapeutic services throughout their lives – a right that all children and families who are affected by adoption now have under the 2007 Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act.” 

In addition to supporting the placement of all children considered suitable for adoption, Kibble will provide a focused service for many of the babies and children currently on the adoption register recognised in the sector as ‘harder to place’.  

This often includes large sibling groups, children with additional needs and older children. Sadly, these groups often spend longer than necessary waiting for their forever home due to a lack of suitable adopters being recruited that can meet the needs of the children. 

Kibble’s newly established adoption service is uniquely positioned to respond to these challenges by working across Scotland to recruit adopters, while also offering lifetime support for all children, adopters and families.  

Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer at Kibble, emphasised how the newly formed adoption service is a natural progression of the already-established extensive range of services available to young people through Kibble that contributes to its mission of providing early-intervention and support of young people across Scotland.  

He said: “The launch of our Adoption Service complements our existing residential, fostering and community-based programmes, providing a full spectrum of care options for young people in Scotland.  

“This expansion reinforces Kibble’s long-standing commitment to early intervention and support, ensuring we can meet each young person’s unique needs and offer them the best possible chance at a bright, stable future. 

“This is an important step in our mission to build a foundation that will support young people and families across Scotland for years to come.” 

For those considering adoption, Kibble’s new service offers full support from initial enquiries to post-adoption care, enabling families to provide loving homes for Scotland’s children in need of a family to belong.

With extensive experience in trauma-informed care and early intervention, Kibble is uniquely positioned to support adoptive families and children, creating positive, lifelong outcomes.  

For further information about Kibble’s new adoption service and for those looking to start their own adoption journey, visit: Kibble Adoption — Transforming lives, families and our communities.  

Letter: Support Lymphoma Action this festive season

Dear Editor

Every 26 minutes a friend or loved one is diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. This Christmas we are asking people to make a difference by supporting our work to make sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.

We are the only charity in the UK dedicated to lymphoma and your support will help us make sure that people affected by the condition can access the information and support they need to help them through their lymphoma diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

There are many ways that you can show your support this festive season – from ordering charity gifts in Lymphoma Action’s Christmas shop, to holding a festive fashion day, making a donation or buying a beautiful Forever Flower as a special gift or way to remember a loved one.

We rely on the generosity of people like you to help us be there for people affected by lymphoma. Any gift you give will make a big difference to people affected by the UK’s fifth most common cancer – not only this Christmas, but all year round.

Please visit www.lymphoma-action.org.uk/christmas for further details on how you can support the work of Lymphoma Action this festive season.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary ‘in awe’ of Scottish charity as they back school feeding work

‘As parents ourselves, Dermot and I are in awe of the work that Mary’s Meals does around the world!’

British presenting duo, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary are calling on people across Scotland to give children the gift of hope this Christmas by donating to Mary’s Meals’ appeal, Double The Love. 

For a limited time, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to a total of £1.1 million. Funds raised from the appeal will help the charity, which was founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, keep their promise of a daily nutritious meal to children living in the world’s poorest countries including Lebanon, Haiti and South Sudan as well as striving to reach the next hungry children, who are waiting for Mary’s Meals.  

Dynamic duo Alison and Dermot are thrilled to be celebrating the launch of the campaign and are urging people to make a lasting impact to the lives of even more children this festive period.

The Double The Love appeal will support Mary’s Meals in its mission to serve daily meals to more than 2.4 million vulnerable children at school. These daily school meals not only satisfy hungry children but fuel their potential by removing a barrier to education, giving them the opportunity for a brighter future. 

Alison, who presents British daytime show, This Morning, says: “As parents ourselves, Dermot and I are in awe of the work that Mary’s Meals does around the world! By supporting the charity, you’re giving the little ones more than a meal, you’re fuelling their dreams and empowering their futures.  

“During Double The Love, your donation will go further than ever before – just £19.15 feeds a child for an entire school year with Mary’s Meals but this festive season, you can feed two children for the same cost. There’s never been a better time to support this life-changing cause.” 

Co-host Dermot adds: “Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive, and for many, that starts with a simple nutritious meal at school. This Christmas, a small act of generosity can make a big difference to those who need it most.  

“Please support Double The Love and donate to Mary’s Meals, allowing your kindness to go twice as far. Together, we can transform the lives of many more desperately hungry children waiting for Mary’s Meals.”  

Marie Doyle, Interim Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, is delighted that the presenters are backing the charity: “Who better to launch our Double The Love appeal than Britain’s much-loved presenting duo, Alison and Dermot! We are beyond grateful to have their support.  

“Our school meals programme is needed now more than ever, as rising food prices, the impact of climate change, and ongoing conflicts make it even harder for children in the world’s most vulnerable communities to access a basic education.

“We know that 67 million children are out of school because hunger keeps them working or begging for food. Your donation this Christmas will help us ensure that children continue to receive life-changing meals and to grow our work so we can reach those children who are still waiting.” 

Donate today to help Mary’s Meals unlock all the available funds. The gift matching will end once the charity reaches the £1.1 million total.

For more information, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/double.  

Sonia and Babita’s story 

Sonia, a bright-eyed 10-year-old, and her 14-year-old sister, Babita, come from a humble family. Sadly a few years ago, their world was turned upside down when their father tragically passed away from Covid, followed closely by the loss of their grandmother.

Within a short span of time, the family faced a series of hardships.  

Babita recalls: “Before, it was good. Father used to earn money, and I remember him encouraging me to learn and study.” 

Sonia continues: “When he died, there was no rice, no food at home. For days, we did not eat. I felt sad, and the whole family went hungry.” 

Recognising the family’s struggles, nuns at St Theresa School stepped in to offer support. The girls found some relief in the form of Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programme, serving a daily meal to every pupil attending the school. To provide Sonia with a more stable environment, their mother made the decision to send her to live at the convent school, while Babita travels home to help care for her other siblings. 

For Babita, the school meals have become a crucial lifeline, helping to ease the burden food insecurity. At home, she often has only leftovers to eat so the nutritious school meal is vital, especially since she needs the energy to participate in the sports and games she loves.  

While Sonia and Babita’s lives have taken different paths since the death of their father and grandmother – one living at the convent, the other at home – their connection remains strong. The meals they share at school bring them together each day, offering a moment to find comfort in each other’s presence.  

By donating to Mary’s Meals during Double The Love, people can ensure that more young learners, like Sonia and Babita, are given the opportunity to grow up well-nourished and well-educated, equipped with the skills to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. 

For a limited time only, all donations made to Mary’s Meals will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million. 

Visit marysmeals.org.uk/double to find out more. 

Kilts and Lederhosen help bring Scotland and Zambia together

16 Kiltwalk Heroes, from Scotland to as far as Munich, took on the Mighty Stride on September 15th,  marching 21 miles around Edinburgh to raise an incredible £10,500 for this new Scottish-founded international development charity, that changes lives through football, starting in Kalingalinga, Zambia.

Much of these funds were immediately spent by Africa On The Ball (AOTB) putting on a much needed First Aid course for the community, which ran last Friday.

The money will also enable a third solar powered drinking water station to be built for the 3 local schools and orphanage that AOTB supports, which is vital as Zambia suffers its worst drought to date. The rest will provide more coaches &  ten academic and skills Scholarships for young people at the Lusaka Youth Resource Centre.

AOTB transforms communities across Africa by embracing the power of football to build a foundation for life-long success. They collaboratively inspire, empower and support communities in Zambia and throughout Africa, using the passion for football as a catalyst to improve education, healthcare, inclusivity and enterprise, creating sustainable brighter futures.

The charity began in 2013 after a Stirling University student Andrew Jenkin met an orphaned Zambian, Kelvin Chasauka who went on to play pro football in Norway, realised what football gave to him, and decided to come back to his community in Lusaka and help change lives positively through the power of football.

Together they set up a community football club that is so much more than a pitch with grassroots outreach development projects in education, health, equality and enterprise.

The players become local leaders helping to develop their community by working and learning together as a team to transform their lives.  

So Africa On the Ball was founded in Scotland alongside a community football club in Glasgow (Glasgow On The Ball, with 4 teams playing in Sunday Leagues and open to all, #glasgowontheball) to share their passion for the game as well as help raise funds and awareness for the works of Africa On The Ball.

Eight GOTB players walked the Kiltwalk.

The AOTB club in Kalingalinga has over 15 teams of boys & girls, men & women, over 300 members supporting 4 schools, funded 57 scholarships, built 2 solar panelled water kiosks & staged many tournaments where vital health education messages are delivered alongside a competitive show.

DFN celebrates decade of improving disability employment in Edinburgh

The DFN Charitable Foundation (DFN Foundation) is celebrating 10 years of tackling complex societal problems and delivering transformative outcomes for unheard voices in the UK and further afield. 

The DFN Foundation was set up in 2014 by David Forbes-Nixon OBE with a focus on working across four key pillars: education, employability, healthcare and wildlife conservation.  

Over the past decade, DFN Foundation has achieved incredible results in all these areas including setting up a school for pupils with special educational needs at Undershaw and establishing an employability charity, DFN Project SEARCH, which helps get young people with a learning disability and/or autism into jobs. 

Further work across the pillars has seen the UK charity supporting a Myeloma Research Programme improving survival rates in myeloma patients with high-risk myeloma and ensuring the survival of the British butterfly, through its work with the Big Butterfly Count.  

Founder and Chairman, David Forbes-Nixon said: “I was inspired to set up the DFN Foundation, to honour two of my personal heroes: my son Charlie who has learning and physical disabilities; and my mother who died of multiple myeloma. Over the past decade, our work has strived to create a better world in their legacy and for generations to come.”

The DFN Foundation has achieved a milestone of 10 years’ operating as an industry leading Strategic Commissioning Charity, partnering with the best-in-class charities or setting up its own to deliver the best results for some of the most pressing challenges facing society.  

Founded in 2014, the DFN Foundation has strived to make a difference by bringing together the right talent, operating with a business mindset, and staying laser focused on specific goals. 

The DFN Foundation was initially focused on improving Disability Employment, Special Needs Education and Healthcare, with these issues all affecting Founder and Chairman, David Forbes-Nixon on a personal level.  

David said: “At the start, I wanted the DFN Foundation to focus on the two main causes that I was passionate about: supporting education and employment opportunities for young disabled people; and finding a cure for multiple myeloma.  

“However, as we grew, we broadened our scope and we looked to take on some of the most pressing social challenges that often struggle to attract mainstream support because they are viewed as risky, difficult or simply impossible. 

“In order to achieve this, I assembled a high-quality board of trustees for the DFN Foundation and we agreed to focus on education, employment, healthcare and wildlife conservation alongside establishing four main goals for the first 10 years. “ 

Highlights for the DFN Foundation over the past decade include establishing a world class special needs school at Undershaw, and positively influencing best practice around disability employment through a separate employability charity, DFN Project SEARCH. 

DFN Project SEARCH was founded in 2018 by David Forbes-Nixon to ensure that young people with special educational needs and learning disabilities receive high quality work-related learning and improved access to long-term paid employment.  

70% of DFN Project SEARCH graduates achieve jobs, and 60% achieve full-time permanent roles, compared to the national average of 4.8% of people with a learning disability who are known to local authorities. Moreover, DFN Project SEARCH has got 2,200 young adults with a learning disability and/or autism into jobs so far. 

DFN Foundation’s work in healthcare has looked to improve survival rates of myeloma and advance cures through strategic funding of high-quality research which will benefit patients to live longer lives.  

As part of this funding, clinical trials of Optimum MUK9 saw 75% of the sample group in the trials still in remission 36 months after starting treatment: this makes it the most successful privately funded UK myeloma clinical trials ever. 

The DFN Foundation’s effort to improve wildlife conservation have seen it look to ensure the survival of the British butterfly, through increasing awareness and sponsoring the Big Butterfly Count, a UK-wide citizen science survey. 

David said: “On our tenth anniversary year, I think it is important that we take stock and look back on all the incredible achievements that we have had as a Foundation but also look forward to the next stage in our growth.  

“As part of this, we want to continue to support Undershaw so it becomes a world class special needs school rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted across all categories and commit additional financial support to DFN Project SEARCH to help get 20,000 young disabled people into jobs by 2034.  

“We also want to support securing a route to market for OPTIMUM (MUKnine) clinical trials so that as many myeloma patients as possible can benefit from this pioneering set of drug therapies and share results globally through publications and presentations by Dr Kaiser.  

“The DFN Foundation will continue our work in partnership with The Pangolin Project to ensure survival of the Giant Ground Pangolin in the Nyekweri Ecosystem in Kenya.   

“Finally, we want to make sure that the DFN Foundation has a lasting impact and as part of our policy work we will launch the DFN Scholars programme and continue to work with Disability Employment Charter and the Centre of Social Justice and lobby policymakers in Parliament with a goal of reducing the disability employment gap.”