KIND – Kids in Need and Distress – has been in existence since 1975 and carries out most of its work from a state of the art ‘SEED Centre’ in Toxteth which has classrooms, gardens, allotments, a kitchen and health and wellbeing space.
It offers a range of tailor-made educational activities, projects and support for children and families to improve self-confidence, develop their education and skills, re-engage with education, think creatively; live healthily and develop a sense of social responsibility as well as tackling bullying, racism, hate crime and anti-social behaviour.
KIND also holds week-long summer residential breaks for disadvantaged children aged six and 13 in Wales which includes outdoor activities to help them to learn both about themselves and the environment.
Their annual Christmas hamper appeal delivers food parcels and toys to up to 1,000 needy families, and the charity also provides year-round help with items such as household goods and clothing.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Roz Gladden, said: “The City of Liverpool is extremely fortunate to have KIND providing help and support to disadvantaged families.
“In these difficult times, their excellent work and support in inspiring, empowering and supporting people is needed more than ever.
“I am delighted to be able to award KIND the Freedom of Liverpool, the city’s highest civic honour, and an acknowledgement of the amazing work their trustees, staff and volunteers are doing every single day to improve the lives of vulnerable people.”
Stephen Yip MBE, Chief Executive of KIND said: “For a small organisation such as KIND, this achievement is not only an amazing honour but recognition of our work and and principles which we have lived by for the last four decades.
“Like many things in Liverpool, we are different and that difference has enabled us to not only survive during many difficult economic times, but to also develop, improve and increase the range of children and families to whom we offer out services.
“KIND lives on the kindness of its friends and without that support we could achieve very little. Today we need that support more than ever so we can continue making a difference to many young lives.”
More information about KIND can be found at http://kind.org.uk/
