I have been involved with Chickenshed for over 4 years and have witnessed first-hand the huge impact that it has had on the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people – many of whom were excluded elsewhere due to disadvantage of all types.

Chickenshed welcomed all of these young people with open arms and they have gone on to achieve things that they had never dreamt of.

Chickenshed creates a truly diverse and inclusive environment with no barriers or labels – they have ambitious plans to give even more young people facing disadvantage access to their life-changing education courses, where they might otherwise fall through the cracks in life.

Around 70% of the young people who study at Chickenshed experience multiple disadvantage and are not accepted at any other college in the UK. Yet Chickenshed gives them a chance and 95% pass and go onto higher education, workplace and training opportunities.

All funds raised through this campaign will fund the support package for students who need extra to ensure that they can study - this includes lunch and travel vouchers as well as counselling and one to one support. Many of these extraordinary young people are vulnerable and need additional tools in their kit to achieve their potential and for their wellbeing. 

I’d love you to join me in making a donation to support their vital work in the absence of being able to hold a fundraising dinner this year.

Every donation will be matched by myself and my colleagues.

Thank you so much for your support,

Aref 
Trustee

Please help me raise vital funds for CHICKENSHED children’s charity and inclusive theatre company which gives life-changing opportunities to over 15,000 children and young people every year through its workshops, further and higher education courses and performances.

Over 60% of these children and young people experience severe disadvantage through mental or physical health challenges, experience of the care system, being a young carer, gang and peer pressure - often many of these things, with many of them excluded from other settings. At Chickenshed however, they are welcomed, accepted for who they are and empowered to achieve in education and furthermore find routes into the workplace.

My personal connection with the charity stems from a speech impediment (“stutter”) that I had growing up, which in-hindsight triggered an anxiety around performance, acceptance, and the pressure to align with the perceived norm which stayed with me for many years. As such, I’m inspired when I see these children perform with a collective hope, courage and confidence that defies the daily challenges that the majority face in their lives. For some just have the courage and independence of mind to just turn-up will result in an alternative and positive life journey.

We have just 36 hours to raise £200,000 so that our 175 students (over 70% would not be accepted in any other institution yet 95% pass), can experience an enriched, accredited education which gives them a full toolkit of skills to use in the outside world - and which also supports those students who need additional help with food and travel vouchers in order to be able to attend.

All donations received over the 36 hours will be doubled!

Together we can make a difference and by enabling young people to achieve their unimaginable dreams by accessing an inclusive education.

To donate please click on the link.

James Lock

Trustee

I have been involved with Chickenshed for over 10 years and have witnessed first-hand the huge impact that it has had on the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people – many of whom were excluded elsewhere due to disadvantage of all types.  Chickenshed welcomed them with open arms and they have gone on to achieve their dreams.
 
Chickenshed creates a truly diverse and inclusive environment with no barriers or labels – they have ambitious plans to give even more young people facing disadvantage access to their life-changing education courses, where
they might otherwise fall through the cracks.

I’d love you to make a donation to support their vital work, in the absence of my being able to invite you to a fundraising dinner this year.

Thank you,

Ash Muldoon
Trustee

In the 10 years that I have been involved with Chickenshed, I have been privileged to see first-hand the huge impact that it has had on the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people.  
 
Many of those who have been helped were experiencing disadvantage and isolation and Chickenshed gave them the opportunity to express themselves and to change the course of their lives. 

I know that many of you admire Chickenshed and will understand why their vital work needs our continued support. 

They have ambitious plans to give access to their life-changing education courses to even more young people facing disadvantage who might otherwise continue to feel excluded by society.

In order to do this, they urgently need funds. 
 
I know how grateful they would be if you would join me in making a donation to invest in the future of these extraordinary young people.

Thank you so much.

David 
Chair, Chickenshed Property Company

We are extremely proud to be able to volunteer at Chickenshed.

Without our volunteer community, Chickenshed would be unable to deliver much of its work - particularly as many of us take on front of house and support roles in the day to day running of our charity.

The last 18 months has been a real challenge but we are pleased to see events, shows and activities returning.

Our 175 students keep the building buzzing and are relishing the opportunity to achieve in education at Chickenshed - over 70% experience disadvantage and need additional support with travel, lunch vouchers and counselling.

In order to support their needs and to give them the best chance of progressing into the workplace, training and other opportunities, we urgently need to raise funds.

We have just 36 hours to raise £200,000+ during which time all donations will be doubled.

Thank you so much for giving anything you can. It means so much to all of us.

The Chickenshed Volunteers

In the 2 years that I have been involved with Chickenshed, I have been privileged to see first-hand the huge impact that it has had on the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people.  

70% of the young people who come to Chickenshed aged 16 to do their BTEC experience multiple disadvantage and are not accepted in any other college in the UK. Yet 95% pass and go onto higher education, training and workplace opportunities.

Chickenshed has ambitious plans to give access to their life-changing education courses to even more young people facing disadvantage who might otherwise continue to feel excluded by society. 

In order to do this, they urgently need funds. 

We have 36 hours to raise £200,000 to help Chickenshed continue and expand their vital work to give young people experiencing severe disadvantage the chance of having an inclusive education. All donations given during this period will be doubled making a huge difference to the young people Chickenshed support.

To donate please click on this link.

Every donation made before 10pm tomorrow, 4th October will be matched by a group of dedicated Chickenshed supporters, DOUBLING YOUR DONATION and making a very big difference to thousands of children and young people.

I know how grateful they would be if you would join me in making a donation to invest in the future of these extraordinary young people.

Thank you so much.

Chris

Kay spent much of her working life as a volunteer working with children and adults with special needs.

It was therefore natural that we became supporters of Chickenshed, over twenty five years ago.  We have been delighted to have helped in a small way as it has grown into an outstanding centre of inclusivity and learning.  

It is a life affirming to watch children and young adults grow into caring and useful members of the community regardless of their background, race and needs.  Their stage performances are a delight and their educational results outstanding.

This is a special opportunity to help with donations, matched pound for pound by donors, to enable this work to continue after the bleak period of Covid.  Chickenshed receives no regular statutory arts funding.

Thank you,
Keith and Kay