Thanks to a grant of £5,000 from the Foundation’s Solihull Winter Wellbeing & Recovery Fund, Ordinary Magic CIC have been improving the wellbeing of children and young people.
Ordinary Magic’s promise is to support any young person who is struggling with their mental health. The grant means they can provide counselling therapy sessions to families in Solihull as well as information and guidance for children not quite ready for therapy.
Katie, Director at Ordinary Magic CIC, explained the creative ways they support young people:
“We partnered with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who let us use their building to provide our one-to-one counselling sessions. They also gave us access to their outdoor area to deliver our wellbeing sessions in the woods.
“In those sessions we work with children on grounding themselves through working on breathing and relaxation techniques, we talk to them and see what’s going on and give them some suggestions on how to manage each situation. The woods are a great place to relax and have these conversations.
“Since last year we’ve seen a rise of 140% in children needing our services, without grant funding none of it would be possible.”
The fund also paid for 40 wellbeing packs, they partnered with local schools and foodbanks working with vulnerable children. Katie continued:
“We’ve sent out over 200 wellbeing packs, they contain an activity book with mindful and gratitude activities, some contain sensory toys such as playdough and bubbles. We also provide a flyer for parents to support them with home schooling during the lockdown.”
Tania Wood, Head Teacher at Woodlands Infant School, said:
“Ordinary Magic have simply changed lives for families at Woodlands and supported our professional development to offer bespoke and forward thinking approaches to support individuals.
“Their direct intervention has supported children and their families in a variety of ways to ensure their wellbeing is understood and supported.
“Leaders at Woodlands Infant School nominated Katie Washbourne, Director of Ordinary Magic for an OBE for her COVID support during Summer 2020 as a way to thank her for everything she does so discretely and supportively for young children, our future!”
Ruth Green, parent of beneficiary:
“Lockdown began taking its toll on my daughter’s mental health again. I called Katie and explained that we were now having uncontrollable panic attacks and straight away, we were on her list.
“She sat and spent a good hour checking in with me too which was, at the time, greatly appreciated. After all, dealing with emotional lows takes it out on the whole family and Katie is a constant source of ‘we can do this’ superpowers.
“Within days of my call, my daughter was talking to a lovely member of the Ordinary Magic team. She continues with this and it’s a great source of emotional support. She struggles to talk and to be open but I finally feel she’s being given the support that she needs.
“Ordinary Magic offers a very special service to very special people. They empower and help nurture emotional minds and for this, my family will be eternally grateful.”
If your group is looking to apply for funding, check our available grants.