Young people face a number of challenges in today's society.  For many children and adolescents the emotional stress caused by these challenges can lead to problems from truancy, low academic achievement and exclusion to drug and alcohol abuse and crime.  Without help emotional problems can escalate with huge implications for development and life prospects.
 
The Anna Freud Centre staff are forging partnerships with schools, the best site at which to reach school-age children experiencing emotional problems.  The Centre works in both primary schools (St. Mary of Angels in Bayswater, Holy Trinity in Hampstead and Robinsfield Infant School in St. John's Wood) and secondary schools (Quentin Kynaston School in Westminster).  Professionals dedicated to the children - Teachers and Child Psychotherapists - are able to work in partnership through the schools projects to give children the means of coping with life's challenges and help them move towards a brighter future.
 
Sadly we will say goodbye to Dr Norka Malberg, Primary School Project manager this summer as she is moving to the United States.  Norka has put a tremendous amount of energy and work into the project which is reaching the end of its first year.  The Primary School Project Project has been made possible by the generous contribution of the Lehman Brothers Philanthropic Foundation who gave the Anna Freud Centre two years of funding to start it up.  The Primary School Team aims to help more schools and more children in its second year.

 

On Wednesday 21st May 2008 the Centre's annual Fundraising Lunch, organised by our Fundraising Committee, was held at 2 Temple Place.  Ruby Wax generously shared with guests the story of her own emotional journey from childhood to adulthood, and her motivation to go back to University to study neuroscience and psychotherapy.  The lunch was also the first airing of a new ten minute film about the work of the Centre, narrated by Jon Snow (Channel 4 News).  The lunch raised over £50,000 for the Centre.  Thanks to everyone who made this event such a success.  Anyone who would like to receive a copy of the film shown at this event can email Louise.Hewitson@annafreud.org

The Centre's Open Afternoon event will take place on Sunday 14th September 2008 from 2.30-5.00pm.  This will be the third annual event of its kind.  During the past two events we have opened our doors to over 600 children and families, for an afternoon of free family fun.  The Open Afternoon is an opportunity to meet the Anna Freud Centre team and learn more about our work.  Activities for children this year include a penalty shoot-out, arts and crafts, make your own clock, face painting and many more.  Entrance and activities are free of charge.  Refreshments and homemade cakes will be on sale along with the opportunity to enter our fantastic raffle.  Please bring along your family and friends to this event, we look forward to seeing you.
 
If you would like to get involved with the organisation of this event please contact the Open Afternoon team on 020 7794 2313.  Thank you for your support. 

The Open Afternoon is an opportunity to meet the Anna Freud Centre team and learn more about our work.  Activities for children this year include a penalty shoot-out, arts and crafts, make your own clock, face painting and many more.  Entrance and activities are free of charge.  Refreshments and homemade cakes will be on sale along with the opportunity to enter our fantastic raffle.  Please bring along your family and friends to this event, we look forward to seeing you.