You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Paying it forward<br />
At present, for four hours on a Monday and a<br />
Wednesday, it provides:<br />
• a safe, supportive stay-and-play<br />
• a healthy lunch to share<br />
• baby equipment and clothes, but most<br />
importantly,<br />
• it helps mums feel to better, less isolated,<br />
and listened to.<br />
When mums get to the centre, they receive<br />
help to address their problems, with on-site<br />
professionals from Shelter, London Black<br />
Women’s Project, Health visitors, family support<br />
workers, immigration advisers and job advisers.<br />
In the eight months that the project has been<br />
running it has helped more than 100 mums<br />
struggling in a single room with children, sofasurfing<br />
in friends' houses, or in bed and breakfast<br />
accommodation.<br />
“It is like a family” Tania, who fled domestic<br />
violence with two young boys, says. “You go<br />
there and you know you are going to get help<br />
with your problems.”<br />
But the 20 regular volunteers and one staff<br />
member have not done it alone. The public has<br />
taken the project to its hearts and proveen how<br />
compassionate they can be: Magpie Project’s<br />
justgiving page stands at around £6,000, local<br />
families have donated more than 20 buggies and<br />
pushchairs, and church groups and community<br />
clubs have provided toiletries, gifts and books for<br />
families at Christmas.<br />
Newham NCT, Forest Gate and East Ham<br />
WIs, local businesses, the Salvation Army, and<br />
individual volunteers have all come together<br />
to build a support system around these mums<br />
and children – proof that, if the saying is right “it<br />
takes a village to raise a child” there are people<br />
in Newham who want be that village.<br />
Jane says: “We can’t solve the housing crisis.<br />
But we do want to offer a timely, practical,<br />
effective and compassionate project that helps<br />
limit the damage that temporary accommodation<br />
can do to the health, relationships, and well-being<br />
of the families, and children under five, that<br />
are caught up in it”. The aim of the project, she<br />
says, is to move towards “healthy happy chldren<br />
being parented by relaxed,informed and engaged<br />
mums”.<br />
HOW TO HELP<br />
• Follow us on social media and look out for<br />
#MagpieSOS appeals for donations.<br />
• Get in touch if you want to volunteer, or give<br />
money on the justgiving page.<br />
@MagpieprojectUK<br />
@MagpieprojectUK<br />
@MagpieprojectUK<br />
themagpieproject.org<br />
themagpieprojectE7@gmail.com<br />
The Magpie Project is open from 10 - 2pm Mondays<br />
and Wednesdays. Referral only.<br />
The Magpie Project<br />
C/O Kay Rowe Nursery and<br />
Children’s Centre<br />
Osborne Rd, Forest Gate E7 9PH<br />
Visit our website<br />
for all our events.<br />
Newham<br />
Bookshop<br />
celebrates<br />
40 years’<br />
trading in<br />
<strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Thank you<br />
to all our<br />
customers<br />
and<br />
supporters.<br />
Tuesday - Friday<br />
9.30 am - 5 pm<br />
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm<br />
745-747 Barking Road<br />
London E13 9ER<br />
Telephone: 020 8552 9993<br />
info@newhambooks.co.uk<br />
www.newhambooks.co.uk<br />
@NewhamBookshop<br />
LOVEEAST APRIL - MAY <strong>2018</strong> 15
Change language