Aim

We aim to improve the wellbeing of children in hospice care and SEND schools by providing interactive, multi-sensory shows free of charge.

Christmas for Kids makes interactive, multi-sensory theatre performances which bring  joy, fun and silliness to children in hospice care at Christmas time, across the UK, free of charge!

These shows are designed to make a positive difference to the lives of children with complex needs and life-limiting illness. They also encourage participation in cultural activity for young people with severe learning disabilities. In response to Covid-19, our 2020 offering will be a digital show called ‘Benson’s Christmas Letter’, which we will offer to all 60 children’s hospices throughout the UK during December 2020.  Due to the flexible nature of a digital show, we also aim to offer the performance to 300 SEND schools throughout the UK for the first time in our charity's history!

Why is there a need for our work?

Christmas for Kids works with children in hospices, schools and hospitals who have profound multiple learning difficulties, are on the autistic spectrum and/or are coping with life-limiting illness. Our shows are designed specifically for these children, who are often excluded from cultural activities because of the barriers they face through disability. Most of the children in our audiences require palliative care and 'around the clock' medical treatment. Some are visually impaired, aurally impaired, non-verbal, elective mutism and some are resident in the hospices for end of life care. Often they are unable to leave their care facilities in order to experience the theatre, so we bring our theatrical experience to them in the environment where they feel most safe.

"Events like this are so important, especially in the run up to Christmas, which is a really difficult time for the families. The hospices don't have the funding to provide this kind of entertainment for the kids, so to have companies like 'Christmas for Kids' coming in to do it is a godsend for them" - Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, London

What are we trying to achieve?

We have the following main outcomes:

• Enable children with life limiting conditions to participate more in things they enjoy and experience new things in a safe environment  
• Improve communication and interaction in children with profound multiple learning difficulties, autism and life limiting conditions
• Promote inclusion, interaction and positivity. Our shows embrace diversity and difference and are aimed at children of all abilities and health
• Support emotional wellbeing/create magical memories for parents and carers 
• Provide skills development for actors, particularly those early on their careers

 Our shows achieve these outcomes through the inclusive, engaging and interactive nature of our work - and our digital show will be no exception. It will feature an accompanying Resource E-Pack, to help carers, families and teachers facilitate the show's interactive elements. From music, singing and light stimuli to fun puppets and silly characters, we've got something for everyone in our very special blend of theatrical fun.

“The show was just the highlight of our calendar! ‘Harry’s Christmas Spirit’ was a wonderful story with a lovely easy and important content and done in such a fun, sensory and inclusive way. It was such a happy and uplifting place to be and Christmas for Kids will continue to be the highlight of the year for our children, families and staff!” - Senior Carer, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice (of our 2019 show).

A bit about Christmas for Kids (C4K)

C4K was founded in 2009 by Artistic Directors Sue Appleby and Claire Sundin. Both are experienced actors and facilitators, and they wanted to give something back to the community by using their talents one Christmas - so Christmas for Kids was born! Since a very modest tour to 4 children's hospices in 2009, C4K has gone on to play over 170 shows for nearly 6000 children, families and carers. In 2015, C4K became a registered charity and our outreach has grown rapidly ever since: playing 59 shows to nearly 750 children in 2019, and covering the whole of England, Scotland and Wales. 2020 will be the first year that the charity will reach the whole of the UK.  We are particularly excited about the options a digital show creates for us - this is a wonderful way to increase our outreach, and we hope to retain it alongside our in-person shows moving forward.  

Here's our team back in 2016!

How your support will help us

Covid-19 has created a very unsettled climate for charity fundraising, and, due to the closure of London's theatres this year, we lost an estimated £40,000 in planned fundraising events. EVERY PENNY you donate will go directly into our shows - in particular this year's digital show 'Benson's Christmas Letter' , which will be part of our offerings for children with complex needs and life-limiting illness for years to come. As well as the normal show costs of actors, costume and props, we have the added costs of an Animator, Video Production Company and Green Screen studio - where our show will come to life by combining live theatre, animation and green screen technology.  Your support will help to make our vision a reality and make sure that children who really need it still get a Christmas show this year.

Thank you!

-  The C4K team

This project successfully funded on 7th October 2020